According to the consultancy Asociatividad, the date export sector, which markets 1.9 million tons worth 2.6 billion dollars, offers opportunities for Peru. Demand is concentrated in two macro-segments: ethnic and nutraceutical, with high, medium, and low price sub-segments, depending on the quality and destination of the product. "The nutraceutical market segment's demand has been improving, and the average FOB price shows a positive trend in the medium term," the consultancy stated.
Demand for exported dates has diversified by types and varieties. There is demand for differentiated products (with high prices, which accounts for less than 20% of the demand), demand for medium-large quantities (with medium prices, aimed at traditional American, European, Asian, and African markets of upper-middle and high incomes, accounting for more than 50% of the demand), and traditional demand for large volumes (with low prices, mainly to Eastern markets and industry segments).
Exporting companies address different market segments with different types and varieties, with FOB prices ranging from $0.30 per kg to more than $7.00 per kg, depending on quality, certifications, presentations, positioning, and origin recognition, which allows for a wide range of prices, according to Asociatividad.
The demand for date exports shows cycles of 3 to 4 years, with similar variations in demand and supply. However, the nutraceutical macro-segment will have a positive effect on the market in the coming years. The date export sector expects a positive trend in the medium term, with a highly profitable niche in the nutraceutical macro-segment, valuing differentiation and positioning.
"Biotechnology and positioning standardized quality products are fundamental factors to achieve access to high-profitability market niches," the organization concludes.
Source: agraria.pe