During the first quarter, the value of Lambayeque avocado exports amounted to US $1,342,287.59, i.e. 208.32% more than in the same period in 2014, when they only amounted to $435,356.12 dollars. The volume shipped increased by 220.94%, from 253,744 kg to 814,376 kg; while the average price per kilogram of avocados reached US $1.65, the Regional Association of Exporters-AREX Lambayeque stated.
According to the exporter Guild, the main market for Lambayeque's avocado is the Netherlands, which had an increase of 134.69% in purchases of this product and accounts for 76% of Lambayeque's total avocado exports. The Netherlands purchased 595,912 kg of avocado worth US $1,021,721.86 in the first quarter of this year.
Spain ranks second with purchases for US $35,029.73 dollars, i.e. 155.104 kg and a market share of 18%. The UK follows with purchases for US $85,536, i.e. 63,360 kg and a market share of 6%.
Phytosanitary protocols
The manager of AREX, Paola Corvacho Valderrama, said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI) has been working to sign phytosanitary protocols to allow the Peruvian avocado to enter other markets. As a result, Peru could be able to export Hass avocado to China in July. "This way we diversify markets and compete at better prices," she said.
"300 hectares of avocado for export are being installed in Lambayeque.That is a great business opportunity that must be seized to conquer the Asian continent and to take advantage of the free trade agreement with China,'" Corvacho said.
She also stated that, according to information from Minagri, the next products to enter the Chinese market would be blueberries, Granada, dairy products and stevia.