Peru: Exports of cape gooseberries increased by 81.5%

Between January and September of this year, cape gooseberry exports amounted to $2.4 million dollars, i.e. 81.5% more than the $1.3 million dollars achieved in the same period of 2015, stated Sierra y Selva Exportadora, of the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

In these nine months Peru exported cape gooseberries to 35 countries. The US was the main destination, as exports of this product amounted to $770,662 dollars and accounted for 29% of shipments abroad. The US was followed by Netherlands (22% of total), Germany (14%), Japan (11%), Canada (6%), and Korea (4%), according to data from Customs.

During this period, Peru exported cape gooseberries in different presentations, such as fresh, dried, organic dehydrated, organic cape gooseberry pulp, chocolate covered cape gooseberries, and organic cape gooseberry jam, among others.

 

Through the National Peru Berries Program, Sierra y Selva Exportadora provides guidance to small producers of cape gooseberries in nine regions of the country: Cajamarca, Lambayeque, Huanuco, Ancash, Lima, Junín, Arequipa, Cusco, and Moquegua.

 

They support producers through courses, workshops and field visits, where they teach producers about crop management and certifications to achieve a better quality. They also give them support throughout the whole production, marketing, and export processes, as well as in adding value to their products.

As part of its Regions 2016 program, this entity will hold the VII International Berry Seminar in the regions of Lambayeque and Cajamarca on November 14 and 15, respectively, with the aim of providing information about the current situation of the Peruvian berry sector: its production, development of exports in the last five years, and the sector's global future prospects.

 

These two seminars will be held in the framework of the Peru Berries National Program, which is aimed at promoting different profitable berry crops, such as blueberry, raspberry, and cape gooseberry crops, among others, that can be developed in the country because it has optimal soil, climate, and altitude conditions for these productions. 

 

International experts from Chile, Colombia, and Peru, as well as businessmen and representatives of corporate organizations that have opted for berries in the country, have been invited to the event to present their successful experiences with these fruits.