After following in Chile's footsteps for a range of horticultural crops such as avocados, grapes and blueberries, Peru may be looking to bank on another crop that has proven successful for its southern neighbor.

In a recent announcement in the Official Journal, Peru's National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA) published phytosanitary requirements for the import of Chilean walnut seedlings.

"Given the interest in our country importing walnut plants of Chilean origin, SENASA's Division of Risk Analysis and Phytosanitary Surveillance carried out the respective study with the aim of establishing phytosanitary requisites for the import of the product," the statement said.

The organization said the import requirements would guarantee an adequate level of protection for Peru, minimizing the risk of quarantined pests entering the country.

All shipments must have an import permit issued by SENASA and must be free of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Rhizobium mizogenes, Xanthomonas arborícola pv. juglandis, Cherry leaf roll virus and Plum pox virus.

As an additional requirement, all plants must be subjected to a pre-shipping treatment, and must be free of leaves, flowers and soil. Samples from shipments will also be taken at the point of entry and tested in laboratories.

Peru's production and exports of many fruits including avocados, blueberries and table grapes has been increasing significantly over recent years, and now with a new source of plant material the walnut industry will be in a better position to follow suit.

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