Peru has reportedly become one of Europe’s leading avocado suppliers, exporting 50,000 tonnes of the fruit to the market on an annual basis, according to Peruvian statistics agency Inform@ccion.
The Andean nation now ranks among the likes of Chile, which by the end of this season (2009/10) is anticipated to have shipped a record 51,000 tonnes of avocados to Europe, and South Africa.
Peruvian producers are increasingly keen to enter the avocado business, ramp up production and train workers in the production and handling of the fruit, Fernando Cilloniz of Inform@ccion told Peruvian press agency Andina.
The idea is to increase production areas and productivity, without overlooking the progress made in demanding markets such as Europe,” Mr Cilloniz said.
With the US market also opening up to Peruvian avocados, Mr Cilloniz said the challenge now is to meet the demands of a new market, while maintaining its presence in Europe.
According toInform@accion, planted area with export-quality avocados in Peru is set to double or even triple within the next five years, up from the current 7,000ha.
