“The Northern area of Peru was affected by El Niño earlier this year. The Southern part seems to be better and have less damage. It depends on how each grower has arranged their agricultural practices as to how much damage has been suffered. At the beginning of the season in October, Red Globes from the North were exported, but mainly to other Latin American countries. "We just started to export to Europe, after waiting for the Spanish and Italian supply to run out as they are sold at lower prices. Last season we exported 35 containers of Peruvian grapes and we hope to increase volumes this year. We will have to wait and see how things go, as it’s difficult to increase volumes with the current conditions”, explains Gianfranco Balestra from Otorongo in Peru. This is the new operative office from the company Jaguar TFC.Jaguar is a Dutch company that follows a corporate strategy to go global with opening companies in key supplying countries such as Egypt, South Africa and for example Peru or Chile. “Peru was chosen and after a year, it has been decided to start up the company in Peru. We work with suppliers in Peru and some in Chile. The goal is to increase the portfolio of suppliers in both countries. The products that we are focusing on at the moment are mainly grapes, citrus, ie. different varieties of mandarins, and other key products like blueberries, avocados and ginger.”
He explains there are a few benefits for Jaguar to have this operating office in Peru. “It’s good to have local presence and be closer to the supplier. In order to see what’s going on with the fruit and be in time to purchase the fruits. Another benefit is the export possibilities directly from our clients to our offices in the Netherlands and China. As Jaguar has another operating office Leopard Fruit Trading in Shanghai, China. In addition, you have the administrative benefits of tax, yield and commercial benefits.”
Otorongo works with 15 suppliers in Peru. “The intention is to increase their number. In addition, we want to purchase products from neighbour countries, so instead of seeing them as competitors it´s a complementary supply. However, this is something for the future. As the grape market has been developing over the last year the focus switched from seeded varieties to seedless. Moreover, in general Peru has developed as an exporting market as well. As the country belongs to the top exporters in the world of for example, grapes, blueberries and avocados. I believe this will only keep growing”, concludes Gianfranco.
For more information: Gianfranco Balestra
Otorongo
Peru
T: +51 957022131
E: gianfranco.balestra@otorongoft.pe