Peru’s national phytosanitary agency Senasa is embarking on a new study in an effort to ship asparagus to the US without the need for fumigating the product on arrival to the market.
According to a report by Andina.com, Senasa chief Oscar Domínguez said the risk assessment will begin in August and could last two years.
Currently, green asparagus exports from Peru to the US are required to be fumigated with methyl bromide to reduce the entry of pests from production zones.
Mr Domínguez said the project is important to help reduce pest populations in the field and allow exports without fumigation, which would thereby reduce export costs.
The project requires an estimated investment of 5m soles (US$1.8m) of which the Ministry of Economy and Finance has pledged 3m soles (US$1.09), the report said.
The Peruvian Asparagus and Vegetable Institute (IPEH) and asparagus suppliers plan to collaborate to establish the remaining funds.
The US is the biggest market for Peruvian asparagus, followed by Spain, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan, Norway, Panama, Iceland and others.
