Australian food imports have increased at an annual rate of around 8.6% in the last five years. The increase has been driven by sustained demand for hydrobiological products (11.5%) and fruits (9.15%), reported Paula Carrion, market intelligence coordinator of the Commission for the Promotion of Peru Exports and Tourism (PromPeru).
She indicated that Australia allocates 410 million hectares to the production of food, in which they produce 2.7 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables. Among their products are grapes, bananas, mangoes and kiwis that, due to climate issues, can only be grown in certain months, which coincide with the crop in Peru.
In this regard, she said that, in 2012, Australia had imported from Peru US $2,982 million in food, mainly fish, crustaceans, molluscs, edible peel of citrus fruit or melons, vegetables, tubers and plants, among others.
In 2011 Australia imported $53.2 million in fresh grapes, 35% more than in 2011, and the US was their main supplier. They imported US $5.6 million in tangerines and, again, the United States, with 79% of the total, was their largest seller.
Australia also imported bought $22.1 million dollars in oranges and, yet again, the US their main supplier with 94%. They imported $0.9 million dollars in bananas and Thailand, with 65%, was the country that made the biggest shipments.
Imports of mango, mainly from Thailand, amounted to US $3.8 million. The only supplier of avocados was New Zealand, with US $38.2 million.
Peru was Australia's main supplier of fresh asparagus, with $48.7 million in sales, representing 49.3% of Australian imports of the vegetable.
Opportunity for Peru
Australians are increasingly demanding more innovative products and ethnic flavours in presentations that allow them to cook gourmet style, Carrion said.
He noted that there is great demand for gluten-free products, which opens a potential market for quinoa, which is already available in grain, flakes and as an input to produce final products. In 2012 the Australian imports of quinoa rose 12%, Bolivia was its main supplier, followed by Peru and Spain. He clarified that the Iberian country acquires quinoa from both Andean countries, transforms it into snacks, and then exports it.
"The organic product trend is growing, especially because the Australian consumers are concerned about the environment. That's why exports require having the Australian Certified Organic certification."
Source: Agraria.pe