The producers of Limatambo district, province of Anta, have exported a total of 1,073 tons of certified Hass avocados to Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States so far this year, according to the National Service of Agrarian Health (Senasa).
This agricultural export activity has had successful results for producers in recent years. According to Senasa, in 2016 producers exported 280 tons and in 2017 they exported almost four times that amount (777 tons), a figure that was surpassed in the first quarter of 2018.
A few years ago, the export of Hass avocado grown in Cusco was very small when compared to the current exports. However, the area has always shown an accelerated growth, according to Senasa records.
According to their statistics, in 2013, Cusco exported 10 tons, which generated income for 23,000 soles; in 2014, 50 tons for 112,000 soles; and in 2015, shipments reached 200 tons for 620,000 soles.
These good results go hand in hand with the work carried out by Senasa, which is responsible for certifying the Hass avocado production sites or fruit that has great exportable qualities after verifying that it hasn't been affected by the Fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata, Anastrepha fraterculus and Anastrepha striata). The Stenoma catenifer quarantine pest does not affect the exportable fruit, due to the climatic conditions of the sierra.
The phytosanitary certification of the production site granted by Senasa makes it possible to guarantee that their avocado complies with the international regulations and the phytosanitary requirements demanded by the importing countries, such as Spain, Holland, China, the United States, and Canada.
The deputy manager of Economic Development of the Municipality of Limatambo, Valentin Arizaca, said that producers had only harvested 50 percent of the production to date, so the export volume is expected to grow by the end of the campaign in July.
Source: radionacional.co.pe