Peruvian citrus exports are on course to reach 200,000 tonnes this year, an increase of 10 per cent on the 180,239 tonnes shipped during 2018.
Sergio del Castillo, general manager of producer association ProCitrus, said the rise was largely down to a surge in mandarin exports, led by the W. Murcott and Tango varieties.
Investments in new farms in La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura, together with a switch to newer mandarin varieties in central coastal regions like Lima and Ica are fuelling the rise in citrus production in Peru.
Del Castillo said patented varieties would play an increasingly important role in Peru’s exports in the coming years.
Separately, Promperú reported that the 300 Peruvian companies that took part in this month’s Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin secured commercial commitments worth around US$230m.
Blueberries, mandarins and avocado were the most sought after products by the international buyers who visited the Peruvian pavilion.
Promperú said German supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl, Edeka, Rewe and Kaufland have been steadily expanding their Peruvian produce offer to incorporate products such as turmeric, ginger and pomegranates to more commonplace lines such as grapes, avocados, citrus and mangoes.
