Peruvian exporters of grapes are looking to conquer new markets such as Japan, South Korea and India, said Leonel Arce, general manager of Agroindustrial Beta SA, according to agriculture new website Agraria.pe.

Shipments may also be directed to satisfy demand generated by Chinese New Year, Feb. 3. “The biggest part of Peruvian production directed to Asia is looking at this date,” Arce is quoted as saying.

The company, the second-largest exporter of table grapes in Peru, is also looking to ship to Thailand and Mexico, whose health authorities are visiting the country.

The idea of reaching new markets came from Provid, the association of producers of table grapes in Peru, the website said.

According to Arce, the international market appreciated the table grape from Peru because of its scarcity and its quality. “Still we have much to improve: costs, techniques, varieties. We have a lot of ground to cover,” Arce is quoted as saying. Achieving consistent quality among Peruvian grapes is a challenge, he said, according to the website.

Arce said that the current season started with difficulties, such as having a lot of fruit that finished late, causing prices to drop. “But now, the season has ended and adapted pretty well and we have expectations about how the rest will unfold,” he is quoted as saying.

The United States is the main market for Peruvian grapes. Last season, sales there were 25.2% of the total.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com