The Citrus Growers Association of Peru (ProCitrus) reported that in recent years the country has been increasing its citrus exports to the major markets of the world such as the UK, Netherlands, USA, Canada and Russia. Since the tendency is to increase exports 10% per year on average, they expected to export 100,000 MT (metric tons) this year.
The association also reported that Peru has been working permanently hand in hand with the SENASA in the opening of new markets. In recent years they have accomplished entry into China and Mexico, and in the next years they expect to enter Japan, Korea, Brazil and the Middle East. Scientific tests required for the opening of the Japanese market have been conducted since 2008.
ProCitrus' General Manager, Sergio del Castillo, said that Peru's trend is to become one of the most important countries in the Southern Hemisphere citrus market; increasing exports year after year, as well as considering planting new citrus varieties that are well adapted to our conditions, with a high productivity and that are attractive to the target markets. That is why it is essential, when you are establishing crops, to take into account harvest times and export windows you want to attend.
Currently, Peru has about 70,000 hectares of citrus plantations, a production led by oranges (25,000 hectares), followed by the lemon or Sutil lemon (20,000 hectares), tangerine (15,000 hectares), the tangelo (5,000 hectares) and finally grapefruits, lime and other hybrids of sweet orange and tangerine that complete the 70,000 hectares.
Within this citrus world, ProCitrus represents about 7,000 citrus acres among its 140 member companies; those are mostly farmers.
Among its 140 member companies, most of which are technically equipped with an export-oriented production, ProCitrus have about 7,000 hectares of the Peruvian citrus universe. In terms of production they represent 25% of Peru's total citrus production and 90% of exports. The main varieties that are being exported are tangerines and tangelos.
Because citrus exports represent a great opportunity for the country, ProCitrus will present the VIII International Citrus Seminar 2013 with the objective of making available the latest information on trade and production techniques of citrus in Europe, North America, Russia and Asia to all farmers, producers, entrepreneurs and professionals.
This world-class event that will be held in April, on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24, at the Hotel Los Delfines, will include the participation of renowned Peruvian and specialists from Argentina, Spain, USA, Israel, South Africa and the UK, who will address topics of great interest to those interested in the production, marketing and export of citrus.
ProCitrus, is a private non-profit organization, comprised of individuals and companies that produce citrus in Peru. It was established on April 27, 1998 in order to promote the welfare of the national citrus sector, through the implementation of programs aimed at developing the production and marketing of citrus and its derivatives.