Peruvian Agriculture Minister Juan Manuel Benites received positive news during a visit to the United States this week, with indications access will be granted for exports of asparagus without fumigation.

Ed Avalos and Jose Manuel Benites

In a release, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI) said Benites held a meeting on Tuesday with United States Department of Agricluture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Ed Avalos.

During their discussions, it was reported that Avalos indicated the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would be publishing an advance notice for facilitating Peruvian asparagus exports without fumigation within the next four weeks.

The measure is expected to allow the Peruvian industry to increase its asparagus exports in the U.S. to the tune of US$30-40 million annually.

In the release, Benites Ramos said obligatory fumigation with methyl bromide for asparagus exports had been in place since 2001 when the insect Copitarsia was found in a shipment.

Peruvian Asparagus Institute president Marco Barreto thanked the minister, the government and the team at the National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA) for their efforts to lift phytosanitary barriers in the U.S.

"Asparagus is an important crop in Peru and there are more than 26,000 hectares in full production and around 1,850 growers who have the U.S. as their main buyer market," Barreto said.

"Now they will all have the possibility to sell their products under this option in the short term."

The minister also revealed a technical working group had been formed between SENASA and APHIS, with the aim of improving access for blueberry trading between both countries.

"Thie working group made up of staff from SENASA and APHIS will establish an agenda of issues with defined periods for access in blueberries, which is a crop produced in the Peruvian coastal desert.

"This year we expect to export more than 25,000 [metric] tons (MT) with a value above US$200 million, which requires the necessary health certification for access of these products in the main markets," he said with regards to the berry.

He added a list of pending items for market access was also given to the U.S. Secretary of Agricluture in order to help speed up the process.

The proposals include access for goldenberries (Cape gooseberries/physalis), improved access for citrus with higher temperatures in cold treatment, and improved access for tomatoes, cherimoyas, cactus pears, granadillas and raspberries.

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