Indian authorities have approved the entry of Peruvian asparagus and avocados, opening up a market population of 1.24 billion people for the Andean exporting nation, website Andina.com.pe reported.

The announcement was sent from the Peruvian Embassy in New Delhi to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while India's Department of Commerce notified the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The authorization comes at a time when both countries are working closely to intensify trade relations, following the recent signing of a Trade Preferences Agreement.

Peru currently exports asparagus to 54 countries with a value of US$480 million last year, while avocado shipments were worth US$161 million.

The country's southern neighbor Chile is also trying to negotiate avocado access in India.

India's avocado industry is very small but the country's Avocado Producer Association secretary Abhilash Gorhe believes the room for growth is 'massive'.

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