Canada's goals to reduce reliance on U.S. organic fruit imports could work in Peru's favor, website Agraria.pe reported.

TFO Canada consultant Alma Farías told delegates at trade fair Expoalimentaria 2011 there was potentially an enormous market for Peruvian fresh organic produce.

"Our consumption of organic products is massive, which is a huge possible income for Peruvian products of high quality, in particular mangoes, asparagus and grapes," she was quoted as saying.

This year Canada's organic imports, of which nearly half was fresh fruit, stood at a total value of US$2.6 billion, with the U.S. supplying 70% of the total amount. Farías added that worldwide the market was worth US$54 billion a year with major demand from the U.S., Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria

She added there were niche markets such as exotic fruits, for example lúcuma and passion fruit, which could easily be developed alongside Canada's organic boom.

TFO Canada is currently involved in several production schemes in the Peruvian states of Puno and Junín for health grains quinoa and amaranth, where Farías predicts exports will double in 2012.

www.freshfruitportal.com