The State of Acre (Brazil) placed an order for 50,000 tons of purple garlic from Arequipa. In the local market, a kilo of this product costs about 6 soles. In the Brazilian market, it would cost more than $4 dollars.
The president of the Agricultural Society of Arequipa (SADA), Justo Diaz Cano, acknowledged that the request was too big. "At most, Arequipa could export 20,000 tons," he said.
The Valley of Tambo (Islay) is currently considered the largest production area of garlic. Estimates are there are a thousand hectares devoted to garlic cultivation.
Diaz asked the Central Government to conduct an investigation, via Sierra Exportadora and Agro Rural, to expand the agricultural frontier and improve the crop's quality.
The Indian market also showed interest in importing onions from Arequipa. In this case, they would buy the onions through the free trade agreement (FTA) signed with this country.
Source: larepublica.pe