The Peruvian and Malaysian governments are working on protocols that would allow more of Peru’s agricultural produce to be exported to the Asian country. According to Erick Aponte, Trade Commissioner of Commission for Promotion of Export and Tourism (Promperú) in South East Asia, Malaysia has become a major priority for Peruvian exports due to its great growth potential. In turn, Peru considers Malaysia to be among the main economies in the South East Asian region, given Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.3 per cent in 2019. With such collaborative efforts through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Peruvian and Malaysian governments are continuing to discuss ways forward on protocols and phytosanitary requirements to achieve market access for mangoes, avocados and pomegranates.
Dailyexpress.com.my quoted Erick as saying: “Peru has been participating in the CPTPP since the end of 2018, which allows us to increase the number of Peruvian products with more access to the market. Since then we have been working on new protocols and last year, we have been managing access for some fresh products, such as pomegranates, avocados and mangoes. The latter two are among the most imported fresh fruits by Malaysia and actually, they are the most recognised Peruvian products outside our borders.” Mangoes are among the fastest growing imports into Malaysia, with an increase of 13.6 per cent recorded in 2019. Mangoes currently account for 12 per cent of Malaysia’s fresh fruit imports, touching over 62,000 tonnes. “In addition, avocadoes, another Peruvian fruit that is expected to gain access to the Malaysian market in the short term, has also continued to grow its presence in the Malaysian market, with more than 3,000 tonnes imported last year,” Erick said. Peru continues to focus on Asia with the aim of becoming a strategic partner for the export of its fresh products.