Exports of Peruvian table grapes rose by more than 30 per cent to reach a record 90,000 tonnes in 2010/11, compared with 68,000 tonnes during the previous season (2009/10).
According to figures from analyst Inform@cción and reported by Agraria.pe, exports reached some US$200m in value terms, against US$150m at the close of last season.
Inform@cción president Fernando Cillóniz told the publication that sendings from the new grape-producing region of Piura reached 20,000 tonnes – double the 10,000 tonnes exported in 2009/10.
The regions of Ica, Lambayeque and Arequipa also represented an important share of the export total.
The final figure is up on expectations released in January by the Peruvian table grape growers' association ProVid.
Mr Cillóniz said Peru’s grape season will conclude this month as predicted despite the production complications associated with the weather phenomenon La Niña.
Up to December 2010 (in the 2010/11 season), Peruvian grape exports were mainly distributed in the US (13,700 tonnes), the Netherlands (7,100 tonnes), Russia (7,000 tonnes), the UK (3,300 tonnes) and Hong Kong (1,500 tonnes), according to Inform@cción.
