Avocado and citrus exports would increase by 20% (each) this season, this was announced by the processing company manager of Torre Blanca, Gianfranco Guerrini, during a visit to the company facilities.
The manager of the Torre Blanca, said that in 2012, 4,000 containers of avocados would be exported, which represents approximately 20% more than what was sent last year, (3.300).
On one hand, he indicated that they expect to send 3,500 citrus containers as opposed to the 2.800 that was exported in 2011, which would also mean an increase of almost 20%.
He also said that of all the avocados exported, 500 containers (10 million kilos) will be produced by Torre Blanca, which represents 12.5%. The same number for citrus which represents almost 15% of total shipments.
He also mentioned that 60% of the avocado production would be destined for Europe and 40% to the U.S. , whereas in citrus 65% is sent to the Europe and 35% to North American countries.
On the other hand, Gianfranco Guerrini said that Central American countries like Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua (where the company last year sent 12 containers of avocados) they hope to make the first shipments of citrus.
"They are interested in large size fruit (75 grams), the opposite of what is requested by European markets, which is a good opportunity because the small fruit could be sent to Europe and the larger ones to Central America," he pointed out.
He said that they are interested in entering South American markets such as Chile with the shipment of avocados, and to Colombia where they want to market citrus, providing also the marketing service.
In that regard, he announced that two months ago Colombian supermarket officials visited the processing plant where the first negotiations began, it is expected to be able to send the first shipments this year.
He also indicated that there is a possibility to export citrus to Brazil next year, currently health authorities from both countries are working so that national fresh produce can enter that country. Similar scenarios apply to Japan and South Korea.
"Brazil is a major citrus consumer and has a stable economy, with that country we would have a strategic advantage due to proximity. Japan and South Korea are interesting markets but the barrier of distance and language makes us further away commercially speaking," he said.
Source: Agraria.pe