Peru's agribusiness sector could increase by 35% to 230,000 hectares within the next 10 years with grapes, avocados, mangoes, citrus and asparagus among the top five exports, according to a study.

A report by Apoyo Consultoría showed that 10 years ago only 56,000 hectares of land was harvested compared with 96,000 now.

Four Peruvian agri-export companies now rank in the top 11 largest employers in the country.

Peruvian Association of Agricultural Grower Unions president Carlos Enrique Camet, said it was important the country's regulatory framework continued to support the sector.

"Overcoming the depressed condition of some markets and making effective use of the new opportunities offered by trade agreements that Peru has signed is important.

"The great challenge of the agri-export industry is to continue to expand the workforce and offer good employment conditions."

He said regulatory stability was required to achieve this, because without it the projected exports could decrease with restricted opportunities to employ more people.

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