The problems of paprika due to the presence of pesticides has decreased by 97% since 2011, said the vice president of the Capsicum Committee of the Association of Exporters (Adex), Walter Seras.

Seras also said that some of the problems that peppers and chillis faced were related to productive, commercial, and health issues.

"There is a lack of training to obtain quality products that are safe. At Adex, we work hard with Senasa and INIA to provide solutions. For example, an issue between 2008 and 2011 was that the paprika was being returned due to the presence of pesticides, and that number has decreased by 97%, which is very important. The productive chain is advancing," he added.

Other issues include a lack of knowledge of health parameters on the part of small producers, the presence of the fruit fly that limits the production’s quality, access to markets, and the presence of ochratoxins due to the humid climate. “We can overcome these problems by training producers," he said.

"In recent years the varieties have diversified, the guajillo and the chili ancho have contributed a greater volume to our exports. Domestic consumption in Mexico has increased (14.9 kilos per capita), while consumption in Peru is only 3.9 kilos, despite being an important producer,” he said.

“Consumption in the United States stands at 6.2 kilos and in China it is above 13 kilos. That means we have a window to continue growing through domestic consumption, if Peruvians demanded at least 50% of our production," he said.

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