Chilean Nursery Association AGV will be showcasing the country’s varietal offer at the Expoalimentaria trade fair in Peru later this month as it continues in its drive to make Chile a leading supplier of genetic plant material for the fresh produce industry in Latin America.
As well as exhibiting at the event –which takes place on 26-28 August in Lima and is expected to attract some 32,000 visitors – AGV will hold a symposium on the final day of the show covering topics including the latest blueberry varieties to be developed, logistics and the importation of plant material.
According to AGV president Jorge Valenzuela, Peru, together with Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Brazil, has become one of the leading buyers of Chilean plants.
“Peruvian fruit production and exports are growing at an annual rate of more than 20 per cent and this has brought about a dramatic increase in demand for plants and new varieties of blueberry, table grape, citrus, olive, avocado and pomegranate,’ he said.
“Expoalimentaria is an excellent way of making new contacts with producers looking for new varieties and also with Peruvian consumers, who we hope will come and see what Chile has to offer as a nursery supplier.”
Chilean exports of fruit plants have grown rapidly in recent years, climbing from US$5.8m in 2011 to US$11.5m in 2013 – equivalent to 128m plants.
