Cadmium in Peruvian avocados sparks global alarm

The recent detection of cadmium in Peruvian avocados is sparking international concern, even though only 14 containers were affected out of 28,000 successfully exported. Experts warn the issue could damage the reputation of Peruvian produce abroad if not addressed quickly.

Agronomist Gonzalo Vargas, an advisor in Chile, explained that cadmium traces in avocados have been linked to informal mining in areas like Villacurí, Ica, which contaminates irrigation water and underground wells. He warned that the problem could extend beyond avocados to other crops such as table grapes, posing risks to Peru’s agricultural image.

Cadmium is a heavy metal that, when accumulated in the body, can cause kidney damage, bone problems, and even cancer. Vargas highlighted that while Chilean mining is tightly regulated, Peru’s informal operations continue to affect water sources, raising fears that stricter controls may soon be applied to avocado shipments entering Chile, Europe, and Argentina.

In response, Peruvian growers’ association ProHass stressed that the contaminated shipments represent a minimal fraction of exports and reassured that avocados sent to Chile and other markets follow strict safety and quality protocols. The group also denied rumours that rejected containers from Europe were being redirected to Chile, calling it “false and logistically impossible.”

source: agraria.pe

photo: wildpearkitchen.com