The lifting of the cold treatment requirement for Peruvian Hass avocados entering the US market will significantly boost the trade of the fruit, according to local sources.
The modification of the phytosanitary protocol was officially announced last week by Peru’s phytosanitary agency (Senasa) and confirmed by Arturo Medina Castro, general manager of the Peruvian Hass Avocado Producers Association (ProHass).
Fernando Cillóniz, president of analyst inform@cción, described the move as “momentous”, adding that the US market is of “great importance” given its avocado import volume and consumption base.
Speaking to Agraria.pe, Cillóniz explained that with the new ruling Peru will be able to diversify its export offer and relieve pressure on the European market.
Peru’s avocado offer will rise by 25 per cent next season and could triple in less than five years, according to Cillóniz.
Peruvian avocados were granted entry to the US market in 2009, but the need for cold treatment of the fruit has kept a lid on exports.
