Peru is the eighth biggest world exporter of capsicum (peppers and chili peppers) and can continue to improve its position by increasing its productivity and accessing more markets, said the Agroexports manager of the Association of Exporters (Adex), Paula Carrión. 

After noting that capsicums are the sixth most exported product of the non-traditional agricultural sector, Carrión detailed that the peppers and chili peppers are driven by gastronomy and that in Peru, annual per capita consumption of fresh chillis is 4.75 kilos, volume which increases year by year. 

"The growth trend is due to the efforts made by different public and private entities and the identification and use of new varieties, which help increase consumption and production," he said. 

Carrión recalled that in 2016, the varieties that represented 79% of the exported were paprika (32%) piquillo (29%) and bell pepper (18%), but there are others that stood out for their impressive growth in the last five years: broad chilli (303%), cayenne (203%), lombardi (192%), habanero (178%), cherry (85%) and yellow pepper (43%). 

He added that the peppers lead the ranking, but the native chili peppers, like many others, become relevant thanks to its gastronomic use. It should be noted that Peru is the 27th producer of capsicum worldwide. 

Therefore, in order to increase shipments, maximize their quality and eliminate the rejection of containers abroad, ADEX will organize in Arequipa the VIII International Convention of Capsicum from 25 to 27 October. 

This event will address the sectors issues in relation to cultivation, safety, health and access, competitiveness, trends and markets, and innovation. The National Plan of Sustainable Development of Capsicum that will contribute to its evolution, will be launched before the 450 participants.

Working with the public sector
On the other hand, Mario Ocharán, Assistant Director of Trade Intelligence and Prosperity, said that the International Capsicum Convention is in line with actions taken by Mincetur and Promperú, who recently introduced the Superfoods brand to the world. 

He emphasized that institutions such as the Minagri, National Service of Health and Agrifood Quality (Senasa) and the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), contribute to the growth of peppers and chili peppers exports, for their coordinated work with other entities. 

"It is essential to advance in this chain giving added value to the peppers and chili peppers to turn them into sophisticated products. For this, it is important to encourage innovation, creating strategic alliances with other nations to achieve a representative brand of capsicum products, "he said. 

"An interesting destination is of course Mexico, a great producer and consumer of peppers and chili peppers," he added.

Exports
The capsicum exported between January and June of this year added up to nearly 107 million 996,000 dollars, suffering a slight contraction of 0.3% compared to the same period of 2016. The categories that most stood out were in preserved (57.4%) and dry (38.4%) peppers and chili peppers. Frozen ones have a 2.1% share, others a 1.8% and fresh ones 0.3%.