Huancavelica to be Peru's first organic region

Recognizing its wealth and potential to internationalize its products to a segment of consumers that is increasing every year, Huancavelica, located in the heart of the Andes, has been presented as the first organic region of Peru. This was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), the Regional Government of Huancavelica and the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PROMPERÚ).                                                                                 

"This project will not only contribute to increasing Peru's organic surface area, but also to reducing poverty rates, increasing producers' incomes and improving the quality of life of the communities in the region," said Minister Edgar Vásquez.

The head of Mincetur also stated that the public and private sectors will work to strengthen the capacities of producers in the region, improving alliances, good agricultural practices and compliance with organic regulations.

The Foreign Trade sector, through PROMPERÚ, will work together with the Regional Government of Huancavelica in a promotion plan for the agro-industrial sector that will allow the export of priority organic products such as quinoa, Hass avocado, and aromatic herbs, in which the strengthening of capacities, certification and participation in international business platforms will be supported.

"Its participation in leading international trade fairs will also be promoted globally and, together with the Commercial Offices of Peru Abroad (OCEX), we will carry out trade missions with potential buyers who will position the region's products," added PROMPERÚ president, Luis Torres.

The growing appetite for healthy diet with chemical-free foods that are also cultivated in an environmentally friendly way has generated a global market worth US$ 97 billion (IFOAM 2019). This represents a great opportunity for the productive and economic development of Huancavelica.

It is important to mention that in 2018 Peruvian exports of organic products reached US$ 438 million, increasing by 136.7% since 2012.

Expo Perú Los Andes

In addition to Huancavelica, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Ica and Junín will also be showcased to the world at the first edition of Expo Perú Los Andes, a commercial platform for exports, tourism, investments, culture and cuisine from the Andes Regional Community, to be held from July 18 to 21 next year.

Huancavelica will be the first location for this event, at which 400 exhibition stands are expected to be set up. In addition, a business conference will be held with 150 exporters and 35 buyers from 15 countries: the United States, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Holland, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada, Italy, Taiwan and South Korea.

They will be interested in acquiring Andean products such as organic quinoa, kiwicha, cañihua, chia, maca, ginger, organic Hass avocado, aguaymanto, turmeric, purple corn, muña, trout, alpaca garments and accessories, and many other products.

Moreover, 15 Peruvian buyers and 20 tour operators will participate in order to contact the tourism agencies of the Andes Regional Community.

The first country invited to Expo Perú Los Andes 2020 will be Germany. This is an important market with which Peru has a free trade agreement and it is an important consumer of Andean products.

The new feature of this edition will be the promotion of Inkill orchids from Amaru and native potatoes. Organic quinoa will be the emblematic product, considering that 90% of the production of this superfood in Huancavelica is organic.

In this first edition, it is expected that business worth more than US$ 15 million will be generated and more than 40,000 visitors will be received.

Investments

The regional governor of Huancavelica, Maciste Díaz, explained that the sustainability of the projects will be key to the program's success. For this reason, the regional government has established the development of strategic actions and activities as support instruments.

Thus, S/ 20 million has been allocated to the Productive Competitiveness Support Initiative (PROCOMPITE), S/ 2.6 million to Agroideas, and S/ 30 million to irrigation programs, among other disbursements.

"Efforts will also be aimed at the reorganization and restructuring of agricultural agencies, for which we have the backing of the Presidency of the Republic, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri), and Ministry of Production (Produce)," said the regional governor, calling them all the cornerstones of this dream development.