A free-trade agreement (FTA) between Peru and the European Union (EU) is expected to be ratified by the end of the year, thus accelerating the produce trade, Freshfel Europe President Ramón Rey said during the 2010 Expoalimentaria Perú trade show.

“Today Peruvian exports receive preferential tariffs, but the new (FTA) could improve the business environment and open new opportunities for the Peruvian produce sector in the (EU),” Rey said during the conference held last week in Lima.

Peruvian exports to the EU have climbed steadily over the last five years. According to numbers from Freshfel Europe, the top export is currently asparagus (30,000 tons/year), avocados (40,000 tons/year), mangoes (35,000 tons/year), soft critics (25,000 tons/year) and table grapes (15,000 tons/year). In total, Peruvian exports have reached nearly €250 million, according to Freshfel.

Moreover Rey said that the main challenge for exporters wanting to enter the EU market would be to match the quality and taste demanded by European consumers.

The Peruvian-EU free trade agreement draft was finalized in the beginning of this year and is expected to be ratified by both sides by the end of this year. If so, the agreement would go into effect by the end of 2011.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com