Peru's National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa) has approved two new northern regions for exporting Hass avocados to the United States, website Agraria.pe reported.

The expansion is part of several new standards set by the agency, which also requires the mandatory registration of all Hass packhouses and a minimum dry matter level of 21.5% for export.

The story reported Lambayeque and Piura would join the list of authorized zones for export, which includes La Libertad, Ancash, Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Apurímac, Moquegua, Tacna and Anta (Cuzco).

However, given these two departments are new on the list, Senasa has said it will take additional measures to certify their exports.

Agrícola Cerro Prieto general manager Alfredo Lira told the publication that packhouses would need certifications for good manufacturing practices (GMP), along with the presence of Senasa authorities for monitoring.

Another measure under the new scheme is the raising of the maximum limit for worm detections in avocado samples.

"Before only 1% was allowed for worms. Now up to 10% is allowed. Also, it also seems adequate to us that a minimum tolerance of dry matter is formalized," Lira was quoted as saying.

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