Peruvian Hass avocados will be allowed into the Japanese market without cold treatment next year with the expectation exports will reach US$2 million, website Andina.com.pe reported.

The South American country’s economic advisor in Tokyo Luis Fernando Helguero, said Japanese authorities approved a study into treatment-free entry, conducted by Peru’s National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA), as acceptable.

Helguero added other fruits such as citrus and grapes were also in the approval process.

“We are working in an accelerated way (for the approval of certificates), but for example, certification for mango entry took five years despite the fact they utilize the same mechanisms as mangoes from Mexico,” Helguero was quoted as saying.

He said there had been a contraction in Peruvian exports to Japan in general this year, but this was mainly due to copper prices.

However, he emphasized value-added product exports to Japan had witnessed significant growth, up 30% year-on-year in September alone.

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