Peruvian growers are looking to export exotic fruit 'sanky' to U.S., German and Japanese markets, pitching the product on its high antioxidant and vitamin C content, website Agraria.pe reported.

The fruit is grown on cactuses and is also known by the names guacalla and sancayo, with an acidic taste that is often used in Peruvian juices and porridges.

Ayacucho department sanky producer Evaristo Catamayo Conde, told the website the fruit is often used to rehydrate sheperds in the Peruvian countryside, while it also has properties for the treatment of gastritis, prostatitis, kidney problems and osteoporosis.

He says these properties make the sanky attractive for foreign markets, especially as its vitamin C levels are 10 times that of oranges, the story reported.

Catamayo Conde estimates the necessary investment to start sanky plantations are between PEN3,000-5,0000 (US$1,098-1,830) per hectare, with a processing buyer price of around PEN3 (US$1.19) per kilogram, depending on the vitamin concentration.

Sierra Exportadora Andean fruit specialist Federico Beltrán, told Andina.com.pe the industry needed larger commercial scale production at a national level.

He highlighted the crop had yields of around 20-30 metric tons (MT) per hectare, growing at altitudes between 3,500-4,200 meters (11,482-13780ft).

www.freshfruitportal.com