Peru’s agricultural health service, SENASA, is working on a program to export asparagus to the United States without quarantine, according to national news agency Andina.com.pe.

“A public investment project is under way to reduce populations of flies in asparagus production zones in the country,” said SENASA chief Oscar Domínguez, according to the website.

The export option has been coordinated with the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and it is expected to include small, medium and large growers, Andina said.

According to the exporters association ADEX, Peru’s asparagus exports totaled US $276.8 million through September 2010, 11% more than the in the same period in 2009. The vegetable is sent to 47 markets, with the U.S. taking in the most, the website said.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com