According to Sierra Exportadora, pomegranate exports increased by 25% in 2015, a trend that continues this year as the country shipped over 4.2 million dollars of pomegranates in the first two months of the year, i.e. 97% more than in the same period last year. Sierra Exportadora promotes pomegranate crops and trains small producers so that they can participate in this value chain.
The main destination in January and February was the Netherlands, which accounted for 67% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the UK, Russia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan.
To take advantage of the strong global demand for this fruit, Sierra Exportadora promotes it in Lambayeque as an alternative crop to rice, which requires lots of water. The president of Sierra Exportadora, Alfonso Velasquez Tuesta, said that they trained small farmers to plant and, in partnership with other institutions, gave them seedlings to increase the hectares cultivated.
The cultivation of pomegranate in Lambayeque started to be promoted within the framework of a public-private partnership with the Subsectorial Irrigation Program (PSI) and the Best Berries Peru SAC company through the implementation of a 500 seedlings pilot plot of pomegranate of the Wonderful variety, one of the most popular varieties in the world because of its good size, appearance, and bright red shell.
According to Sierra Exportadora, the plot of pomegranates is located in Popan, district of Zaña. The pilot plot, owned by producer Roman Chacon Mendoza, has modern drip irrigation.
Sierra Exportadora seeks to implement new agricultural export products that have a high profitability so that small producers commit to innovating in their crops, just like they are doing with pomegranates.
"The pomegranate is well suited to Peru's climatic conditions. It is planted in sandy soils and it has a high resistance to salt; this is one of the great advantages of this crop," said Velasquez Tuesta.
Great potential
Pomegranate is emerging as a product with great potential for exports. In 2015, shipments totaled more than $32 million dollars, i.e. 25.3% more than in 2014.
Its main market was the Netherlands, which accounted for 40% of total exports. "From this location, the product is distributed to supermarkets in Eastern Europe," Velasquez said.