Estimates are that Peru's grape production might increase by nearly 8% this year and amount to 470,000 tons. In fact, according to Scotiabank, production increased by 10% in the first half of the year because of the higher planted area and higher yields. In recent years, the increase in cultivated areas has focused on Piura because entrepreneurs have wanted to seize its export window (October to December). In 2013, the acreage of grapes increased by 4% to 21,400 hectares, led by a 22% increase in Piura (4,280 hectares) and a 1% increase in Ica (8,750 hectares). "This trend would continue in 2014, with Piura having a higher increase in plantings than other regions," said Erika Manchego, a senior analyst at the Economic Research Department of Scotiabank.
Piura has the highest yields in Peru as they amounted to 29.4 tons per hectare in 2013, while the yields in Ica amounted to 19.3 tons per hectare in the same period.
These conditions have allowed Piura to lead the total grape production growth, and to become the second largest producer nationally with 125,616 tons, preceded only by Ica in 2013 with 169,042 tons.
Piura's rapid increase in production, however, has not been accompanied -in the same extent- by an increase in processing capacity (packaging and cooling).
This could result in higher costs for producers, especially the small and medium ones, stated the bank in its Weekly Report.
Source: Minag