Peru: Onion exports up 22%
The value of the onion exports was $5.5 million, against $4.4 million the previous year.
The growth has been attributed to increased demand in Colombia, the US, Panama and the Netherlands.
The US exports alone were worth $1.6 million.
The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture provides details of production by region: Lambayeque, 4%; La Libertad, 7%; Ica, 16%; and Arequipa.
There were some challenges for growers, due to the weather and it is not yet clear how this will affect the production volumes, however the quality is still reported to be high.
On June 30, Northwest Farm Credit Services provided some global data about American onion imports and the place Peru occupies on the world stage. "United States onion imports for March 2012 were 75.88 million pounds," the agency stated.
"Onion imports for March 2012 compare to a five-year average of 69.57 million pounds. Onion imports within this period peaked at 78.594 million pounds in 2010. The U.S. imported 868.74 million pounds of onions in 2011. Annual onion imports compare to a five-year average of 805.92 million pounds. Annual onion imports in the last five years peaked at 902.48 million pounds in 2007. Mexico, Peru, Canada and Chile were the United States’ leading sources of imported onions in 2011, representing 88 percent of onions imported by value."
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, implemented in 2009, has had a positive impact on trade between the two countries. According to the agency’s website, "The TPA also provides favourable access for U.S. service suppliers, as well as guarantees of protection to US investors and US copyrights, trademarks and patents registered in Peru. In addition, Peru has opened up significant government procurements to U.S. bidders.
Source: producenews.com
