Pineapple production to replace coca cultivation in Peru

In Peru, the valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro rivers (also known as VRAEM) is sadly famous for being a very poor region in which drug trafficking and coca cultivation proliferate. Growing any other product in this area involves huge risks and there is practically nothing that can compete with the illegal products' profitability, which is why many farmers in the region have no choice but to produce them. However, according to engineer Yuri Vegas, of Inka Gold, there is an agricultural crop that is even more profitable than coca: Golden pineapple.

"Pineapple is a great alternative for the VRAEM. This crop has demonstrated that it has a high profitability and good productivity," stated the engineer. It is better than cocoa and coffee, and the qualities of the region's soil and climate allow producers to grow pineapples that have an high quality taste and aroma. 

As a result, Peru is seeking to promote the export of pineapples produced in the VRAEM, which has been engaged in this production for a short time. "There is a lack of technology, training and resources, but if we find good customers, the crop will quickly grow and farmers will have the possibility to stop growing coca, which they currently grow because they have no alternative," he said.

One of the companies that grows pineapples in the VRAEM is the Frunature Peru company, which is associated to Inka Gold, has GlobalGAP certification, and produces more than 80 tons of Golden MD-2 pineapples a month. The company has been investing in improving its production and quality for years so, even though it currently only sells its pineapples in the national market, engineer Vegas believes that they are ready to export them to the world; which is why he asks the great International buyers to work with the pineapple producers from Vraem and to be a part of the new history of development of this part of Peru. "Pineapple is very well traded in the local market, but in the foreign market, prices are better," he said.

In addition, there is a great and growing international demand for pineapple, international buyers can now look at the Pineapples from Vraem as an opportunity to do great business and be socially responsible, in which they can contribute to the reduction of coca crops by promoting peace and development. In terms of competition, the major producers of Golden pineapples are Colombia and Costa Rica. Engineer Vegas suggests collaborating with these countries, working with them, not competing with them. The world demands more pineapple and working with partner companies from Peru and Colombia would allow the country to take advantage of its geographical position and logistics to serve Asian markets, for example. 

The Vraem-Peru can contribute solve the current deficit of pineapples, caused by the production problems in Costa Rica. "The world needs more good quality pineapples; which is why we must associate. "

"It is an opportunity for the VRAEM pineapples, which are a sustainable development alternative. This is a great opportunity to reduce coca in the Vraem fields. Why not give these producers an opportunity? Growing this crops is very dangerous for small farmers, and they still take the risk of growing legal crops," he said.

Frunature Peru produces pineapples all year round and, despite the weather conditions affecting the country due to the El Niño phenomenon, the company has only suffered minor damages and can guarantee it will produce between 80 and 100 tons of pineapples per month until the end of the year. "We will produce more, but this is the volume that we can currently guarantee. I think we have the necessary conditions to find a good niche market for the Peruvian pineapple," Vegas concluded.