In the latest campaign, Peruvian pomegranate exports dropped from 49,023 tons to 42,378 tons; a reduction of approximately 14%. "This is due to various factors, such as the lower international prices, the lack of new markets, the increase in labor costs, and climate change. And what is foreseen for the 2024 campaign is raising concerns," says the acting president of Progranada, Juan Puga.
"Prospects point to the worst fall in the last 30 years due to climatic anomalies caused by the El Niño phenomenon. In the year that has just ended, high temperatures had an impact on the phenological development of the crops.”
“The acreage devoted to the cultivation of pomegranates for export has also suffered a significant decline, going from more than 3,000 hectares in 2022 to less than 2,400 hectares in 2023. Although pomegranate is currently exported to more than 30 markets, the volumes have continued falling, and the demand is highly concentrated in a few markets, such as the Netherlands (56%), Russia (7%), Canada (6%), or United Kingdom (6%), among others.”
“The Association of Pomegranate Producers of Peru, Progranada, has been working together with Senasa to allow the entry of the fruit into new markets, such as China, South Korea, Japan, or Mexico, among others, as well as to improve its access to the United States of America. Export volumes to this market have not grown as expected due to the high logistical costs and the quarantine treatments required, including irradiation at destination. Accessing new markets depends on the responses and deadlines of the markets of interest, which in most cases are extensive.”
“The formal agro-industry has been providing quality and decentralized work to many Peruvians in recent years. The social and economic development of the country's agro-exporting areas, such as Ica, La Libertad, Piura, etc., is evident and undeniable. We are talking about work that did not exist before, but which is now threatened due to the already mentioned factors.”
“We are facing new challenges. We must continue working hand in hand with the Government to open new markets, have laws that do not threaten the industry's development, and carry out trade union work that allows us to work together to continue exporting quality fruit in an orderly manner.”
For more information:
Progranada
http://progranada.pe
