The table grape industry faces multiple challenges, such as the traditional care of the crop, logistics so that the fruit arrives in prime condition to its markets, emerging producers that are competitors, and unpredictable weather.
This, according to Pedro Galvez, an agronomist an Adriatica's technical representative, who is currently visiting Peru. Grape consumption is growing worldwide and that is posing challenges to producers, as consumer tastes are changing, he said. "This complicates things for producers of traditional varieties because, with the appearance of other varieties, producers are forced to learn about the crop again," he said.
He also said that Peru and Chile face a similar situation, because the grape varieties they produce are genetically produced in the northern hemisphere, and they don't necessarily behave in these territories in the same way as in their point of origin. This implies that producers have had to test different alternatives that didn't work and were forced to start all over again.
But how does he see Peru?
According to Galvez, the Peruvian grape sector can still grow a lot thanks to its different climates, which allows it to produce this fruit in any window of the year, in search of the best prices. However, the sector can be affected by climate change, events such as El Niño, and other similar unexpected climate disorders. In addition, there is the supply and demand factor: "Peru's growing production is systematically generating more supply." This allows buyers to select who they want to buy from, as new competitors, such as Ecuador, emerge in the market.
The specialist of Adriatica, who arrived in the country thanks to Farmex, said that, in this context, the fruit's quality will define the success of a grape in the markets. "That is the big issue nowadays, that's the way to differentiate yourself from the rest of the producers, from the competition. If I have quality fruit, the clients will privilege it," he says. This means the country must meet new demands, such as more flavor or size.
In addition, the large buying chains demand a firm and crispy fruit that looks impeccable and fresh after having been sent to Asia; a trip that can last 40 to 50 days. It's a technical challenge
"The Asian market is the most challenging because it so far away ... producing grapes that can endure this trip and arrive in good condition and that seem freshly harvested is difficult. The trip takes 40 to 50 days port to port, and once it arrives, it's accumulated and then distributed. When importers receive a lot of product, they place it in the market bit by bit. In addition, the fruit has to reach continental Asia, as it doesn't stay in the periphery, in the ports. Thus, nowadays the fruit has to last 80 days in good conditions," he stated.
This, of course, is only possible using quality products in the crop, especially foliar nutrients that help complement the fertilization and generate a fruit in excellent conditions. He then highlighted Farmex's product portfolio, as they solve physiopathies, and improve the fruit's maturity and consistency.
Finally, Pedro Gálvez highlighted that in the last three years producers in Peru have become aware of what quality means, as they understand that its importance for customers and that their goal is no longer producing a big volume.
"The owners of the companies used to ask for a certain amount of boxes per hectare, but that doesn't work if they don't have a good quality. In fruits, you achieve good sales if you have a good quantity and quality, as quality defines sales. Peru has improved noticeably but it is still has to improve more because it's still working in windows where there isn't much demand. In two or three years, when Peru increases its current surface area from 30% to 50%, the country will be forced to store its grapes, and that means it will have to produce a firmer fruit that lasts longer; which means the country will have to work with quality products."
Source: agraria.pe