Exports of Peruvian grapes totaled 53,000 tons from October to December 2010 and are set to register a 30% increase over the 2009-10 season come the end of the current harvest in April, local news site Andina reported.

Citing numbers from Peru’s table grape growers association Provid, the total is an increase of 29% over the 41,000 tons exported in the same period of 2009, according to the report.

The principal destinations for the grapes are the United States, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Russia and the UK.

Peru’s grape production is focused in the Valle de Ica, with other regions such as Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Arequipa, Ancash and Lima also contributing.

Andina quoted Provib general manager Sandro Farfán as saying that in order to grow the sector improvements to port and high infrastructure are needed, as well as more government assistance to position Peru’s grapes at international trade shows.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com