Latest News From Peru

Unifrutti Group set to acquire Verfrut 
Unifrutti Group set to acquire Verfrut 

Unifrutti said the move supports its strategy of building a globally diversified premium fruit platform, while complementing its product offering by adding a strong table grape and cherry platform.

Peru asparagus import group names new co-chairs
Peru asparagus import group names new co-chairs

For 2024-2025, Carlos Solf of Southern Specialties will serve as East Coast chair and Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt will be the West Coast chair.

Peru grape exports will increase slightly, USDA reports
Peru grape exports will increase slightly, USDA reports

Peruvian grape exports in the 2023-24 marketing year will increase by 2%, according to a new USDA report.

U.S. imports of Peruvian grapes assume greater importance in November and December
U.S. imports of Peruvian grapes assume greater importance in November and December

Peruvian grapes have taken an increasingly important role in the late-year U.S. grape supply.

String of unlucky weather slows Peruvian avocado and asparagus exports
String of unlucky weather slows Peruvian avocado and asparagus exports

A diversified sourcing strategy has helped brokers like Mission Produce sail through a soft Peruvian season for commodities such as avocados, onions and asparagus.

A look at Bland Farms' transition to Peruvian onions
A look at Bland Farms' transition to Peruvian onions

Peruvian onion supplies are increasing for Bland Farms, says Sloan Lott, director of sales.

U.S. imports of Peruvian onions grow
U.S. imports of Peruvian onions grow

U.S. imports of Peruvian onions have increased from 130,807 metric tons in 2018 to 164,734 metric tons in 2022, according to statistics from the USDA. 

G&R Farms optimistic about Peruvian onion crop
G&R Farms optimistic about Peruvian onion crop

Representing a counter-season balance to the Vidalia onion deal, strong supplies of Peruvian onions are anticipated for G&R Farms, says Steven Shuman.

Shuman Farms offering strong volume of Peruvian onions
Shuman Farms offering strong volume of Peruvian onions

Cobbtown, Ga.-based Shuman Farms has started shipping its premium sweet onions from Peru and the marketer expects to ship from Peru through March, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

Keystone Fruit Marketing active with Peruvian onions
Keystone Fruit Marketing active with Peruvian onions

Keystone Fruit Marketing has been an integral part of the onion supply chain from Peru for over 30 years, says Matthew Gideon, sales and commodity manager for the Greencastle, Pa.-based marketer.

I Love Produce ventures into the Peruvian rainforest to survey ginger crop
I Love Produce ventures into the Peruvian rainforest to survey ginger crop

The organic importer says it’s delivering a steady supply of ginger from Peru into a tight market this year.

Weather hinders Peruvian asparagus crop yield, but opportunity remains for retailers
Weather hinders Peruvian asparagus crop yield, but opportunity remains for retailers

This year’s Peruvian asparagus crop has faced challenges from weather, but rising consumption trends offer a bright spot for retailers.

Mission Produce turning to Peruvian avocados to bridge Mexico transition
Mission Produce turning to Peruvian avocados to bridge Mexico transition

The hass avocado producer says that it is leaning into a thoughtful ripening strategy and its owned Peruvian supply to deliver optimally sized fruit in the summer months.

Weather woes limit U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus
Weather woes limit U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus

The forecast and anticipated arrivals into the U.S. will continue to be lower than expected for the next two to three months, according to the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association.

USDA report: Peru's mandarin exports expected to be similar to last season
USDA report: Peru's mandarin exports expected to be similar to last season

“Despite a late start to the harvest season due to unusually warm weather, producers expect a solid crop later in the year,” the report said.

Ample supply and lower prices reported for 2023 Peruvian avocado crop
Ample supply and lower prices reported for 2023 Peruvian avocado crop

While Mexico remains the U.S.' main international supplier of avocados, Peru is playing an increasingly important role in filling the supply gap.

Westfalia Fruit enters the Peruvian avocado season
Westfalia Fruit enters the Peruvian avocado season

Oxnard, Calif.-based Westfalia Fruit has started its Peruvian avocado season, with supply available now through mid-September.

Peru ag leaders estimate $300M in lost farm shipments
Peru ag leaders estimate $300M in lost farm shipments

The Association of Agricultural Producers Guild of Peru reported in late January that road blockades by protesters have limited agricultural exports and hammered farmers.

Internationally sourced produce bolsters supply, provides variety of flavors
Internationally sourced produce bolsters supply, provides variety of flavors

Companies increasingly look to fruits and vegetables grown in other countries that provide ideal growing conditions and a year-round supply of fresh produce.

Four Star Fruit concludes California grape season
Four Star Fruit concludes California grape season

The table grape grower and marketer predicts significant growth in its Peruvian and Chilean imports in 2023.

Ag group calls for restoration of order in Peru
Ag group calls for restoration of order in Peru

Peru's growers are calling for the government to act after a week of demonstrations that the Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru said have introduced “chaos, death and roadblocks."

Peruvian grape exports expected to jump 8% 
Peruvian grape exports expected to jump 8% 

Peruvian grape production and exports are headed higher, according to the USDA.

Shuman Farms updates Peru facility
Shuman Farms updates Peru facility

The company has updated its facility and packinghouse in Peru, with new grading lines and sorting equipment that will enhance product quality and allow for a more efficient final repack in Georgia.

Another exceptional onion crop expected from Peru
Another exceptional onion crop expected from Peru

Season after season, Peru has proven to be a reliable source of good-quality sweet onions for U.S. consumers, and this year should be no exception.

USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for imports of asparagus from Peru
USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for imports of asparagus from Peru

The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh asparagus under a systems approach from Peru. 

Meijer, Lidl are giving away Tesla cars for Avocados from Peru promotion
Meijer, Lidl are giving away Tesla cars for Avocados from Peru promotion

What do avocados imported from Peru, brand-new Tesla cars, and retailers Meijer and Lidl have in common?

U.S. import value of asparagus increases slightly
U.S. import value of asparagus increases slightly

The value of U.S. asparagus imports rose slightly for the year ending March 2022, trade numbers from the USDA show.

U.S. imports of Peruvian grapes to rise again
U.S. imports of Peruvian grapes to rise again

Another year of increase is on tap for U.S. imports of Peruvian grapes. That’s the bottom line from the USDA’s annual report on Peru’s fresh grape outlook.

Peruvian asparagus importers share news update
Peruvian asparagus importers share news update

Here are business updates from importers of Peruvian asparagus.

Peru’s public and private sectors come together to minimize impact due to logistics crisis
Peru’s public and private sectors come together to minimize impact due to logistics crisis

Exporters and port officials met in Peru met to propose a series of actions to increase the efficiency of the competitiveness of the sector.

This is how sweet the Peruvian onion deal looks
This is how sweet the Peruvian onion deal looks

When it’s not Vidalia season, many sweet onion growers turn to Peru to satisfy their customers, and those customers should find a good crop from South American for fall 2021 and winter 2022.

Naturipe sees early peak for Peruvian blueberries
Naturipe sees early peak for Peruvian blueberries

Naturipe, a global leader of fresh berries, is excited to share that its import blueberries from Peru are peaking early this season and in impressive volumes.

PAIA celebrates 20 years and looks to a successful season
PAIA celebrates 20 years and looks to a successful season

Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association (PAIA) members expect a high volume, successful asparagus season.

Shuman Farms gears up for Peruvian sweet onion season
Shuman Farms gears up for Peruvian sweet onion season

Shuman Farms has RealSweet high quality, premium sweet onions from Peru on hand and are currently making the transition from Vidalia to Peru.

Avocados from Peru spotlights organics
Avocados from Peru spotlights organics

In a groundbreaking way, Peruvian organic avocados are getting focused marketing attention.

Peru’s grape exports show big export growth
Peru’s grape exports show big export growth

Exports of Peruvian grapes totaled $521.8 million in the first six months of the year, up 29% from the same period a year ago.

Peruvian Mayan Sweet onions available
Peruvian Mayan Sweet onions available

As we are fast approaching the Peruvian sweet onion season, who better to give the scoop than the onion experts themselves, Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce. 

Berry People’s Peruvian blueberries provide consistent volumes and quality through upcoming late summer and fall-winter seasons
Berry People’s Peruvian blueberries provide consistent volumes and quality through upcoming late summer and fall-winter seasons

Once the North American blueberry season wanes, Peru’s long growing season, steady climate and greenhouse-like growing conditions will provide retailers and consumers with constant volume of high-quality blueberries.

Progressive Produce coming into bigger Peruvian asparagus volume
Progressive Produce coming into bigger Peruvian asparagus volume

Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce has a year-round supply of Peruvian asparagus, but the company sees peak supply from July through February.

Berry People’s Peruvian blueberries available late summer, fall, winter
Berry People’s Peruvian blueberries available late summer, fall, winter

Once the North American blueberry season wanes, Peru’s long growing season, steady climate and greenhouse-like growing conditions will provide retailers a constant volume of blueberries.

Peru sees value, volume bump for asparagus in 2020
Peru sees value, volume bump for asparagus in 2020

By volume, U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus in 2020 totaled 93,652 metric tons, up 2.6% compared with 91,266 metric tons in 2019 and up 7% from 2010.

Going for the Gold with Avocados from Peru
Going for the Gold with Avocados from Peru

The Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 23 to August 8 with NBC and Telemundo broadcasting the events throughout the United States.

Muscling in the powerhouse Peruvian avocado
Muscling in the powerhouse Peruvian avocado

Social media memes of the plump, pear-shaped avocado cartoon figure lifting weights or telling itself in the mirror that it’s the “good kind of fat” parallel the Health at Every Size movement.

Peruvian avocados connect to youth, Olympics, organics, cookbook
Peruvian avocados connect to youth, Olympics, organics, cookbook

If the whole point of the Peruvian Avocado Commission is to get more people to eat more avocados from Peru, then promoting the pear-shaped, mild-tasting, buttery fruit is of utmost importance.

What's up with Peruvian avocado exports?
What's up with Peruvian avocado exports?

While avocados have been around since before written history, the commercial export of the fruit to the U.S. is relatively new. Here’s a timeline of notable events in the U.S.-Peru avocado relationship.

More Peruvian avocados expected in the U.S. to meet demand
More Peruvian avocados expected in the U.S. to meet demand

For U.S. shoppers who read their sticker labels, they’ll start to notice their hass avocados are more likely from Peru rather than Mexico now through September.

Avocados from Peru are coming in strong and sporty
Avocados from Peru are coming in strong and sporty

From a great crop of large fruit to promotions during the summer Olympics and a focus on organics, the Peruvian Avocado Commission is gearing up for a busy Avocados from Peru season.

Smurfit Kappa acquires corrugated operation in Peru  
Smurfit Kappa acquires corrugated operation in Peru  

Smurfit Kappa Group, a paper-based packaging manufacturer with operations in Europe and the Americas, has acquired Cartones del Pacifico, a paper-based packaging company in Peru. 

Peru asparagus exports dip in 2020, but expected to recover in 2021

Peru’s exports of fresh asparagus in 2020 were down 10% due to COVID-19 and internal transportation issues, but an increase is expected in 2021.

Tom Richardson (left), and Sebastian Carmona.
Giumarra Cos. adds supply from CarSol, Chilean blueberry grower

The Giumarra Cos., Los Angeles, has a new partnership with the CarSol Group, a Santiago, Chile, grower and distributor of blueberries from Chile and Peru.