Peru: Sierra Exportadora promotes cultivation of new apple varieties

Sierra Exportadora is training small apple producers to cultivate new varieties that respond to cons…

Sierra Exportadora is training small apple producers to cultivate new varieties that respond to consumer preference so that they gradually replace imports of this fruit, which last year amounted to 40.6 million dollars CIF, indicating that there is an unsatisfied demand in the domestic market.

The public entity's National Fruit Program, reported that Peru cultivates 11,000 hectares of apple, 70% of which correspond to the Delicias de Viscas variety and the rest to the Ana of Israel, Winter, and San Antoni varieties, which are not very consumed.

Sierra Exportadora works so that small producers plant the most demanded varieties, initially in the populated center of Viscaz, and then in Huarochiri and Calango. The Donoso Agricultural Experimental Station - Huaral INIA will join this work in May.

The most demanded varieties in Peru are the Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady varieties (which were tested in the valley of Mala) and they are slowly displacing the Red Delicious in the national and global market, not only for their taste and color, but also because they have improved marketing channels.

Sierra Exportadora provides technical assistance on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve product safety and prevent the closure of some markets due to health issues. The rational use of agrochemicals by producers is essential.

The CEO of the institution, Alfonso Velasquez Tuesta, said that the Andean valleys of Peru have the weather conditions to produce the most demanded varieties, so they could meet domestic demand. "The new varieties are characterized by having a higher productivity per hectare, which would benefit small producers," he said.

He explained that the varieties can be harvested all year, unlike in Chile, a major exporter of this fruit that only harvests it between January and March and sells refrigerated apples throughout the rest of the year.

Imports
In 2015, Peru imported 40.6 million dollars CIF in apples, mainly of the Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious varieties. The country imported apples from Chile (80.5% of the total), the US (19%), and Argentina (0.5%).

In 2015 Peru exported US $550,899 in apples. According to Customs, Ecuador was the only destination so it is clear that the trade balance for apples is negative for Peru.

Data
The main apple producing area is Lima (Cañete, Yauyos, Huarochiri, Huaral, Barranca, Cajatambo), which accounts for 80% of the production, followed by Ica (Chincha) and Ancash (Huarmey and Casma).