Trade fair raises awareness of healthy Peruvian food

By Yi Whan-woo

Being one of the world's top culinary destinations, Peru's trade campaign nicely fits into the global food trend of wellbeing and healthy eating.

With a mix of Amazon rainforest and highlands, the country boasts of microclimates and is ranked as the world's No. 1 in agro biodiversity, having 84 of the 117 different types of life zones on the planet.

The South American country is a leader in “superfoods,” ranging from avocados to quinoas, maca, sacha inchi, mango, blueberry, oily fish, purple corn and cocoa.

As one of the world's top 10 food suppliers, Peru has developed certifications and food quality standards demanded by the global market.

Peru, as the country's Ambassador to Korea Daul Matute Mejia put it, “can offer a productive window throughout the year” when it comes to certain products such as green asparagus and blueberries.

“The consumption of food in the world is changing and there is a clear tendency to prefer fresh products, especially fruits and vegetables, essential products to have a healthy diet,” Ambassador Matute said during a promotion campaign for Peruvian food and Expoalimentaria trade show in Seoul, Nov. 12. “And Peru has opted to develop a continuous and quality commercial agricultural offer.”

Held since 2009, Expoalimentaria is the largest food and beverage fair in Latin America.

The Nov. 12 Seoul campaign was jointly organized by the Embassy of Peru in Korea and the Peruvian Association of Exporters (ADEX) to invite Korean buyers for next year's Expoalimentaria.

The 2020 edition will be held from Sept. 23 to 25 in Peruvian capital of Lima.

According to the embassy, Asia has the highest consumption rate of fresh food at 60 percent, followed by Europe at 53 percent.

“There is practically no product that cannot be produced in my country,” the ambassador said, adding this gives Peru an advantage in its main destination markets.

Matute referred to Korea as “a great trade partner,” noting the Peruvian exports of vegetables and fruits exceeded $130 million in 2018.

With major sales items being grapes, Brazilian nuts, organic banana and mangoes, the envoy said Peru, the world's second largest avocado producer, will begin to sell it beginning next year.

ADEX speculated the sales of Peruvian avocadoes will more than $45 million in 2020.

“As you already know avocados are considered a superfood because they are packed with high levels of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. In addition, this fruit contain more potassium than bananas,” Matute said. “I am confident this Peruvian product will satisfy the exquisite taste of the Koreans, who are used to fresh and healthy products.”

He reckoned the avocado exports will be “an important business opportunity in the future,” noting Peru is continuously trying to add “new products to Peru's export basket.”

During the Nov. 12 campaign, Matute was joined by ADEX Manager Susana Yturry.

She explained how Expoalimentaria has grown over the past years and continued to help build Peru's reputation as a top world gastronomy country.

The 2019 trade fair took place from Sept. 25 to 27 in Lima, drawing more than 50,000 visitors from 60 countries.

The three-day event had a total of 659 exhibitors, up 18 percent from 2018. They promoted food and beverages, delivery services, containers and packaging, as well as machinery and technology used to process foods.

The fair had special halls to promote Peruvian food and beverages, such as Pisco sour, which is considered the national drink of Peru.

Korea was one of the Asian participating countries, along with China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.