Closer collaboration between table grape producers in Chile and Peru would strengthen the position of both countries in the international market by allowing them to supply global markets for almost 12 months of the year, according to one Peruvian fresh produce consultant.
Speaking to Chilean fruit portal SimFRUIT, Fernando Cillóniz, president of Peruvian consultancy Inform@ción, said the country’s table grape production has the potential to reach 500,000 tonnes within five years, almost putting it on a par with Chile.
Highlighting the key role played by Chilean producers in developing Peru’s table grape export industry, Cillóniz said both countries could strengthen their respective industries by working more closely together, which would enable them to extend their marketing window and develop new export markets.
“A number of Chilean growers and exporters have invested in Peru, and while both countries’ production overlaps at certain times during the year this does not mean to say they should regard each other as competitors,” he stated. “On the contrary, the view of many of these companies is that Peru can complement their own output during the early stages of the season and compete for longer on the market.”
Peru’s biggest variety is Red Globe, but Cillóniz noted that the presence of Chilean companies is fuelling varietal change, particularly towards seedless cultivars.
Last season Peru shipped US$550m of table grapes, roughly equivalent to a volume of 200,000 tonnes. Acreage is expanding at a rate of 3,000-4,000ha per year, with the main production zones located in Ica and Piura.
“Peru’s production is mainly Red Globe, which is exported during December and February, but the country also produces significant volumes of Flame Seedless in October and November and Thompson in November and December,” he said.
