Sierra y Selva Exportadora continues betting on the promotion of berries as an innovative and profitable alternative for small producers. That's why it is organizing the VIII International Berries Seminar that will be held from November 21 to 24 of this year in the cities of Tacna (21), Arequipa (22), Cusco (23), and Lima (24).
According to the entity, the goal of this meeting, which will be attended by national and international experts, is to show the different profitable berry crops that can be developed in Peru, thanks to its optimal soil, climate, and height conditions for their production.
"Blueberries have already proved that our country meets all the conditions for the cultivation of these superfruits. It is also a great profitable opportunity for small producers," said Alfonso Velasquez Tuesta, CEO of Sierra and Selva Exportadora.
He also said that Peru was currently experiencing the possibility of a strong development for blueberries, which have become a success in the Peruvian exportable supply. "Now that blueberries are on track, Sierra y Selva Exportadora will start an intense campaign for raspberries (2018) and blackberries (2019) over the next two years, which also have a great demand in the markets of Europe, Asia and the US because of their nutritional benefits and high antioxidant content," said Velasquez Tuesta.
He also said that Sierra Exportadora had begun a strong promotional campaign to promote berries in 2011, and that the results were obvious and clearly tangible: Last year Peru had 3,000 hectares of blueberries and, according to estimates, by the end of 2017 they will have more than 4,000 hectares devoted to this crop. Meanwhile, blueberry exports exceeded US $230 million.
"Now it is the turn of raspberries, blackberries, and even cherries, which, even though they are not considered berries, are also an innovative product that we have been promoting in our country," he said.
In April of this year, the US Department of Commerce stated that Peru had started to displace several blueberry supplier countries to the North American market, such as Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, which once dominated this market.
Perspectives: Berries and cherries
National and international experts will analyze their prospects for the berry industry (blueberry, raspberry, aguaymanto, and blackberry) and cherries in the world market, as well as the current situation of these fruits in Peru, their production and the evolution of their exports in the last five years.
This seminar will be held in four regions of the south of the country. It will begin on Tuesday, November 21, in the city of Tacna, at the Basadre auditorium of the Casa Andina hotel. On Wednesday 22 it will be held in the auditorium of the National University San Agustin de Arequipa, on Thursday 23 in the auditorium of the Hotel Qasana - Calca in Cusco, and on November 24 in the auditorium of Petroperu in Lima.
This international seminar also seeks to promote the entry of producers, suppliers, and exporters into the national berry production chain. Those interested can register for this seminar at: https://goo.gl/hRpzJA.