Peru: Grape arrived in Piura to stay

In 2005, Chilean businessmen started to arrive in Piura, Peru to try out grape cultivation. After 7 years, this fruit became one of the three main products of the region; not only Chileans are investing, but it's also attracting investors in Piura and other regions of the country.

The vine's growth was surprising. In 2007 17 containers were exported to the value of 600,000 Dollars, but 2011 closed with 2,500 containers exported for 100 million Dollars.

Last year, the region exported 301 million Dollars worth of grapes, evidence that the region is one of the main producers, with a third of the national exports.

The grape produced in Piura is the Red Globe variety and it's generally sent to the Brazilian market, but the European and US as well.

Since today, there's also the chance to place this product in the Japanese market, with good tariff advantages, by entering the Free Trade Agreement with Japan.

In front of the more than 350 national and international businessmen at the First International Business Meeting, organized by Piura's Regional Government, this week at the University of Piura, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Piura, Reynaldo Hilbick, explained that Piura has a great agroexporting potential, since it grew 36% in 2011 compared to 2010.

Source: Diariocorreo