Table grape production Peru is forecast to reach some 325,000 tonnes in 2013, up from an estimated 130,000 tonnes in 2012, according to a new GAIN report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Peru’s grape crop has already sky rocketed over the last ten years from practically nothing, USDA explained, driven by the rise in exports to satisfy demand.
As a result, grapes have become one of Peru’s main agricultural exports, worth some US$304m in 2011, the report said.
The US leads as the main export market, receiving 30,793 tonnes of the fruit in 2011, followed by the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Russia and China.
The USDA said production is “rapidly developing” along the northern Peruvian coastline in new areas including Piura and Lambayeque away from the traditional producing regions in the central valleys.
Peru mainly grows Red Globe grapes, while other varieties under production include: Flame Seedless, Sugraone and Thompson Seedless.
