Plant-health barriers to exports from Peru were lifted on May 1 in the US and now producer-exporters have their sights set on Europe. “Exporters have taken a little time to adapt to the new norms demanded by the US market,” said Antonio Gaínza, president of the citrus producers’ association of Peru, Procitrus. “Nevertheless, they are very satisfied and are confident that with the opening of this market, other markets in Europe will open up to them too.”

Peru can export grapefruit, lemons, easy-peelers, tangelos and oranges to the US and Gaínza expects sendings will reach 2,000 tonnes this season between June and August.

The Andean country already sends 60 per cent of its citrus to Europe and the UK is the main market followed by Russia, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries.