Peru's table grape industry has passed South Korea's strict phytosanitary requirements to gain market entry after six years of negotiations, website Andina.com.pe reported.

South Korea's National Plant Quarantine Service (SNCV) notified Peru's authorities of the decision, stipulating the grapes would be subject to cold treatment in transit, while an inspector would need to be invited to validate shipments during the campaign, the story reported.

Peruvian president Alan Garcia with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-Bak

"Efforts to open the Korean market for Peruvian grapes began in 2005, sending a phytosanitary report about Peruvian grapes to SNCV," Peru's National Agricultural Health Service director Oscar Domínguez was quoted as saying.

He said Asian nations were more demanding in terms of the size, quality and presentation of food they imported, while Peru already exported to China and was still negotiating with Japan, the story reported.

Peru's grape export season runs from November to January, while the industry has also recently started market entry negotiations with Australian plant health authorities.

The approval comes amid reports Peru's grape exports for the 2010-11 campaign rose by 37.3% to more than 92,000 metric tons (MT), website Agraria.pe reported.

Peru’s Grape Producers Association (PROVID) told the website the increased volume of grapes sold for around US$200 million, while the region of Piura doubled its exports.

"Despite having suffered from the effects of the La Niña phenomenon, the crop was not completely affected and we were able to surpass the projected figure at the beginning of the season," PROVID general manager Sandro Farfán was quoted as saying.

Related stories: Date set for Peru-Korea FTA

Australian grape industry welcomes Peruvian import prospect

Peru plans grape shipments to Australia

www.freshfruitportal.com