Sierra y Selva Exportadora reported that, up to September, national exports of pomegranate had already exceeded by 50.75 percent the total shipments of this fruit in 2016. According to Agrodata Peru, national shipments of pomegranate were worth 60,722,488 million dollars by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2017, while last year's total exports amounted to 40,279,391 million dollars.
It should be noted that the growth expectations of pomegranate exports are based on the growing demand for "Superfruits", that is, those fruits that have characteristics beyond its basic nutrients, and the growing tendency to consume natural based products.
According to Sierra y Selva Exportadora, the bulk of Peruvian pomegranate exports are sent to the European market. The Netherlands is the main market with a 43% share. It is followed by Russia and the United Kingdom, with 15% and 10%, respectively.
The remaining 32 percent of the market is divided between the United States (7%), Canada (4%), Belgium (4%), the United Arab Emirates (3%), Saudi Arabia (3%), Hong Kong (3%) and other countries that account for 8 percent of the market.
The CEO of Sierra y Selva Exportadora, Alfonso Velasquez Tuesta, said that, within the framework of the National Fruit Program, they were looking to implement areas with new agricultural export products that had a high profitability so that small producers bet on the innovation of their crops.
In this regard, he stated that starting 2018 they would promote more strongly the cultivation of pomegranates in the regions that have the agroclimatic conditions for it.
"The pomegranate is well suited to Peru's climatic conditions. It is planted in sandy soils and it has a high resistance to salt; this is one of the great advantages of this crop," said Velasquez Tuesta.
Pomegranates have a high antioxidant power. They are rich in vitamins and have multiple medicinal benefits. "The international market consumes more and more natural juices and drinks that incorporate this fruit (the pomegranate). It is also highly demanded by the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industry because of its high content of antioxidants," he said.
The national production of pomegranate for export is concentrated in the regions of Arequipa, Ica, and Lima. (AQSIQ)