A leading Peruvian grower plans to increase its plantations by two thirds in the coming years, with an investment to the tune of US$80 million.

A representative of Complejo Agroindustrial Beta told website Gestion.pe the investment plan was designed to help maintain the company's position in the global fresh green asparagus market, while new plantations would also be dedicated to grapes, blueberries and other berries.

"In fresh green asparagus we are one of the biggest in Peru and perhaps the world; we produce all year in Ica and Jayanca (Lambayeque). We compete with other growers from the United States and Mexico," Complejo Agroindustrial finance and administration manager Raúl Briceño was quoted as saying.

The new investment is expected to add 2,000 hectares to the group's existing 3,000 hectares of crops.

The story reported 450 hectares of the new land would be for seedless grape varieties, given the Peruvian Red Globe variety had reached the "expected level".

Half of the total new hectarage is in Olmos and other areas to be ready for production from 2016, while the remaining 1,000 hectares will also be in the north and ready for harvest in 2017.

The story reported the group expected a turnover of US$115 million this year, representing a slightly higher level than last year despite negative impacts from the El Niño phenomenon.

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