According to the president of the Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP), Gabriel Amaro, Peru's grape production for the coming months will be impacted by the coastal El Niño phenomenon. However, it is difficult for the guild to predict the magnitude of the impact.
He said that Ica and Piura would be the most affected areas, as they are the country's main table grape-producing regions, with a 47% and 29% share in 2022 respectively.
In its latest report, the Multisectoral Commission of the Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (ENFEN) projects above-normal air temperatures on the coast, and above-normal rainfall on the north coast and northern mountains for the September-November 2023 quarter. These rains would have an impact on the logistics chain in the north affecting grapes and other crops such as mango, avocado, and blueberry, Amaro stated.
Usually, when there are rains because of the coastal El Niño, the roads, highways, and bridges get blocked, which means that the products have a hard time getting to the ports from where they are exported. "The regional and local governments, as well as the central government, should have enough machinery and equipment in the areas where they know it will rain to be ready for any road closures," he added.
Source: gestion.pe