New pest threatens table grape in Ica

In Ica, Peru, a new pest is threatening table grape crops. The chanchito rojo (Oregmopyga peruviana), previously limited to wine grape vineyards, has begun to affect commercial varieties such as Timpson, Cotton Candy, Candy Hearts, and Sweet Globe. The damage is significant: reduced foliage and, in severe cases, complete plant death.

Although it has not yet been detected in export-quality fruit, local analysts warn that a single insect is enough for markets like Korea, New Zealand, Colombia, or India to reject entire shipments — something that has already occurred in past seasons with the chanchito blanco.

This new threat adds to an already difficult scenario: adverse weather conditions, growing international competition, and increasingly strict sustainability and quality standards.

The chanchito rojo is not just a technical issue — it is a wake-up call to strengthen the resilience of Peru’s entire agribusiness sector. The response must include greater investment in research, rigorous implementation of integrated pest management, and stronger collaboration among producers, authorities, exporters, and researchers.

source: agraria.pe

photo: redagricola.com