CEO of Sierra y Selva Exportadora, Alfonso Velásquez Tuesta, reported that raspberry production in Peru in September this year reached 400 tons; up 120% compared to the same period of 2015, where the production was 180 tons.
He revealed this after his participation in the VII International Berries Seminar.
"We have also grown in number of hectares, from 80 hectares last year we now have around 180 hectares of raspberries fields in the country," he said.
The expansion of the agricultural frontier and the production only correspond to eight regions of Peru: Arequipa, Ancash, Huanuco, Junin, Lambayeque, Tacna, Lima and Cajamarca. The latter two account for 80 percent of raspberry production in the country.
"If in 2011 there were only 10 hectares of blueberries, and now we are about to end 2016 with more than 3,300 hectares of this fruit, we are confident that with raspberry we'll do much better. So our message today is to bet on this berry that is both highly profitable and easy to grow," Velasquez said.
He specifically said that the raspberry is a new crop in the country with great potential and, above all, has a secured and unsatisfied foreign market. In that regard, he urged producers see raspberry with an entrepreneurial vision.
Positive adaptation in Peru
In turn, the president of the International Raspberries Organization, Antonio Dominguez, said that the cultivation of raspberry is perfectly suited to the climatic conditions of the Peruvian highlands, as Sierra y Selva Exportadora have shown in their pilot plots in Lambayeque (Canaris), and cultivated hectares already in Cajamarca.
"Peru meets all the soil and climate conditions to grow berries; that is why small producers deserve government support through co-financing programs to make the most of this opportunity," said Antonio Dominguez, a recognized leader in the international raspberry market.
He added that there is a market for everyone, and Peru should take advantage of its commercial window, between September and October. In that line he said the United States is the largest importer of raspberries with a value of $ 822,000, representing 42.8% of world imports, followed by Canada, Germany and the UK.
Data
During 2015 Peru exported raspberries worth $67,912 to five countries, with Spain being its main destination with a 57.22% stake. They are followed by the Netherlands (with 27.3% share), Germany (14.34%), the UK (0.97%) and France (0.15%), according to Customs figures.