The US remains the leading export market for Peruvian artichokes after importing 54 per cent or US$13.6m of the South American country’s overall volumes between January and May this year, compared with 43 per cent in 2007, according to the Peruvian Exporters’ Association (Adex).
Peru’s total artichoke exports rose by 38 per cent in value during the first five months of 2008 to US$24.92m, Adex said, comprising both fresh (worth US$12,698) and preserved volumes (worth US$24.91m).
Spain was the second-largest importer, receiving US$4.9m or 20 per cent of the volumes, followed by France (with 16 per cent), Germany (3 per cent), Scandinavia (3 per cent), Canada (2 per cent), among other destinations.
Despite the ongoing growth in exports, planted area with spineless artichokes has reduced in the last year, according to Santiago Fumagalli, chairmain of Adex’s artichoke subcommittee.
“We estimate there are 3,000ha fewer in comparison to the 2007 season, meaning across all the producers there are approximately 4,500ha in production,” Mr Fumagalli explained.
Artichokes represent Peru’s eighth-largest agricultural export item, and accounted for 3 per cent of the country’s agricultural shipments between January and May this year.
