The Agricultural Exports Management of the Association of Exporters (ADEX), stated that, after four months of joint work of the Peruvian public and private sector with the authorities of Colombia, Peru would be able to, once again, enter its onions into the Colombian market, which would contribute to the recovery of these exports.
Colombia restricted Peruvian onion imports last April after the Colombian authorities rejected a land shipment at the border due to some quality problems, stated ADEX's manager of Agricultural Exports, Paula Carrion.
The work included technical verification visits and commitments undertaken by the health authorities of both nations and the efforts of various institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RR.EE.), ADEX and Senasa of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) informed Senanas about the lifting of the suspension of the issuance of phytosanitary requirements for the importation of onions via the 0368-2017-MINAGRI-SENASA-DSV letter.
One of the agreements states that the onions destined for Colombia must be packed in facilities authorized by SENASA. The list of registered packers can be found athttps://www.senasa.gob.pe/senasa/reportes-2/
Carrion stated that Colombia was a market of great interest to Peruvian exporters who started their campaign in July. "The problem was solved after a lot of hard work. As a guild we reaffirm our commitment to Peruvian entrepreneurs to help them surpass the inconveniences they face," he said.
Onion exports
ADEX said that in the first half of the year onion exports had amounted to US $ 11,466,000, i.e. 34% less than in the same period of 2016. Fresh or chilled onions and shallots account for 89% of total shipments.
The most important markets, according to data from the ADEX Data Trade Trade Intelligence System, are the United States (US $ 5,994,000) and Colombia (US $ 2,000,063), which together account for 70% of the shipments. They are followed by Spain, the Netherlands, Chile, Germany and Panama.
Shipments to Colombia in the first semester peaked in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, when they were the leading market destination country. Between January and June this year, exports recorded a -63.7% fall.
The companies that led the ranking in that period were Miranda International SAC, Agro Floral Peru SAC, Mentor Service Trade SAC, Negocios ElectroagrÃcolas SAC, Daabe Peru SAC, Novoliz SA, Agrilor SAC, and KeyPeru SA