With a record number of attendees, the annual Fresh Connections Peru conference brought together industry leaders and representatives under the theme, "New scenarios, new opportunities to do business".

The event, organized by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), attracted 170 people who enjoyed presentations from an array of international experts, including Tesco Latin America representative Brice Lamarque, Naturipe Farms vice president of marketing Robert Verloop, and Pacific Seaways executive director Francisco Labarca.

Presentations focused on retail, industry relationships with consumers, opportunities in China, shipping outlooks and the future of products like avocados, citrus fruits and grapes.

Mabel Zhuang of M.Z. Marketing Communications Co. ,analyzed the Chinese export process, key products and marketing avenues. The expert explained how attractive the Chinese export market has become worldwide for dried fruits and the advantage Latin America has as a counterseasonal provider.

Zhuang highlighted the issues for Latin America working with the Chinese market, where per capita consumption is expected to reach 48kg (105.8 pounds) in 2020.

Emiliano Escobedo, Hass Avocado Board executive director, analyzed trends affecting avocado production and exportation on the U.S. market. He spoke on market growth and supermarket sales.

Escobedo emphasized the importance of being well versed in market topics when working with commercial fruits. He pointed out that in the past 10 years, avocado consumption had grown 200% in the U.S.

Speaking on the grape industry, Oscar Salgado of Origin Direct Asia, Chile and South Africa presented on global markets and the necessity to get to know clients and understand their expectations.

He shed light on global trends, challenges and opportunities for producers and exporters, such as observing competitors and patterns.

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