Peruvian exporter Camposol has begun exporting avocados to Japan, a sign of the company’s increasing interest and activity in the Asian market.
The Latin American country began sending avocados to Japan last year, following an agreement between the two countries that could eventually see access granted for other Peruvian products like mandarins, grapes, blueberries, passion fruit and pomegranates.
Having passed inspections required by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and related authorities, Camposol’s first consignment – a container-load comprising exclusively Hass avocados – began its journey across the Pacific around the middle of June.
Allan Cooper, managing director of the group’s avocado business unit, said Japan was a country with lots of potential, given that the fruit is well known and annual consumption is already around 50,000-60,000 tonnes.
“We will gain market share in Japan from year to year,” he predicted. “This is an introductory year, but we are confident that in the next years there will be a strong increase in our avocado exports to Asia, and Japan will definitely be a relevant country due to the already developed level of consumption.”
The company has signed a commercial agreement with one of Japan’s major importers, with plans reportedly in place to launch a sales campaign in supermarkets introducing Camposol avocados to the general public.
“We will gain market share and consumer preference,” Cooper continued. “We want to position the avocado as one of the most representative Peruvian fruits on a global level.”
Peru is expected to send around 5,000 tonnes of avocados Japan this year.
