Currently, Peru has more than 18,000 hectares of avocado Hass and exports about 95% of its production, said Sierra Exportadora.
Peru’s avocado production increases by approximately 12% per year and new land is devoted to this crop, as a result of the growing demand for this fruit in the international market.
The President of Sierra Exportadora, Alfonso Velásquez Tuesta, said that since Peru had expanded its markets, with the addition of China and Japan, the country had to focus on and work in assuring the quality of its product so that it is appreciated and can get best prices in any foreign market.
"Production is an important component, but quality is even more important because that is what sells more. That is what we need to focus and continue working hard on. Any country with technology can have high returns in productivity, and Peru already has a fairly high performance," he said.
He added that ecological and fair trade Hass Avocado was even more attractive in the international market and that it had a higher price.
"Currently, the European consumer doesn’t only value the fruit, he also cares where it comes from and how it was obtained. That influences them on the decision to purchase a product," he said.
Japan annually imports approximately 131 million dollars in avocado and its main suppliers are Mexico, United States, New Zealand and Chile.
Assuring Quality
The head of the national program of Hass avocado and other fruits of Sierra Exportadora, Guillermo Parodi, said there was an important demand of avocado in the world market in these months because production in Chile and Mexico had decreased due to climatic conditions and the harvest of avocado in the highlands of the country was delayed.
He added that Sierra Exportadora was working with producers of Hass avocados, to implement good agricultural practices.
"Our goal is to ensure quality and that most of the associations understand that this component is necessary to ensure the continuity of their businesses and exports," he said.
Figures
In 2014, Peru exported $307 million dollars in avocado, i.e. 67% more than in 2013. Its main markets were the United States, Netherlands and Spain.
Source: Gestión