Senasa's advice boosts avocado exports by producers

The National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) has launched the 2024 avocado export campaign, focusing on advising producers to maintain Peru's position as the world's second-largest exporter of this fruit. The official event, held in collaboration with the Provincial Municipality of La Mar, brought together regional and local authorities, as well as representatives from the Peruvian Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters Association (ProHass) and agricultural export companies. In addition to the campaign launch, farmers received training on production site certification and pest management.

Miguel Quevedo Valle, head of the National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (SENASA), emphasized the importance of collaboration between the private sector and SENASA to improve the phytosanitary conditions of crops and expand the participation of small producers in the agricultural export chain. This effort also aims to reach new markets to benefit rural communities.

In the Ayacucho region, avocado production has experienced sustained growth, driven by the commercial opportunity offered by the harvest window between February and March. More than 80% of family farmers are involved in the avocado export chain, primarily in the Andean valleys such as Ayacucho, Apurímac, and Huancavelica.

Peruvian avocados, with the Hass variety being the most exported, have access to 73 international markets. During the 2023 season, exports of this fruit exceeded 599,769 tons, with the main destinations being the United States, the European Union, Chile, China, Thailand, and South Korea. Collaboration between producers and SENASA (National Agrarian Health Service) has been fundamental in certifying thousands of hectares of avocado orchards, ensuring quality and competitiveness in the global market.

Source: andina.pe