Peru’s small-scale growers find new routes abroad

Small farmers in Peru are gaining new export opportunities alongside big companies.

This week, the first container of pecans from Ica — grown by small producers — was shipped to China, adding to earlier exports of goldenberries, dragon fruit, golden pineapple, organic bananas, mango, avocado, and other products.

Agriculture Minister Ángel Manero stressed that while large and medium companies are important, opening markets for small farmers is essential.

Key steps are underway: in October, China’s customs minister will visit Peru to sign the protocol giving organic bananas access to the Chinese market. The U.S. is also expected to approve Peruvian dragon fruit this year, while Brazil will open to strawberries.

The strawberry case is notable. In Puno’s Acora district, a new project worth 3 million soles (≈ 780,000 USD) was launched to produce strawberries in large greenhouses. Brazil could pay around 12 soles (≈ 3.10 USD) per kilo at the farm gate, creating strong profits for small growers.

source: agraria.pe

photo: fruitprocess.com