The National Banana Board (Junaba) participated in the III International Passion Fruit Congress (Passion Fruit and Granadilla), a conference that brought together sector specialists to discuss competitiveness, agronomic innovation, genetic resources, and market opportunities for these fruits, with the goal of positioning Peru as a global leader in their production and export.
Juan Castillo Ocaña, head of Agromercado's Piura regional office, stated that the agreements of the Multisectoral Technical Group against Fusarium R4T include developing a plan for productive diversification, which involves pilot plots for promising crops.
Castillo noted that Agromercado helped Junaba representatives participate in the congress and in business meetings with top passion fruit export companies, such as Agrícola Chavín, Selva Industrial, Amara, Mariposa Andina, Gastronomic Fruits, and Pacific Fruit. The goal was to learn about the production system and how the international passion fruit trade operates.
Based on this experience, Junaba is considering passion fruit as a diversification option in areas like the Chira Valley (Sullana) and the Piura Valley (Chulucanas). The choice is driven by the fact that the passion fruit supply chain has global potential, especially in the juice concentrate and pulp markets, where Peru already holds an important role.
The plan is to begin with pilot plots to evaluate the crop's adaptability and productivity. According to Castillo, INIA will supply seeds and technical assistance for agronomic management; producers will contribute the fields and inputs; and Agromercado will support commercial outreach and connect with buyers.
Source: agraria.pe
