Japan is expected to lift phytosanitary barriers to Peruvian mangoes in the first quarter of 2009, according to Peru's National Service of Agrarian Health (Senasa).
Senasa's head Oscar Dominguez told Peruvian news agency Andina that the process for gaining market access to Japan is in its final stages, with the industry currently coordinating and implementing measures to prevent the spread of fruit fly.
Japan represents a very strict market in terms of sanitary and phytosanitary controls as well as food safety standards, and Peru has been working to gain access to the country for its mangoes since 2006, according to Mr Dominguez. 'Japan is very interested in importing Peruvian mangoes, as long as they meet the country's requirements,' he told reporters.
The Peruvian Association of Mango Exporters (EMPA) reportedly sees Japan as a highly attractive market because mangoes can command very high prices there that should result in strong grower returns.
Peru has been pushing to open up several new markets for its fresh fruit exports. Earlier this year, China announced it had granted access to five types of Peruvian citrus, which joined table grapes and mangoes on the list of Peruvian fruits with access to China.
