Production and export of table grapes are on the rise in Ecuador

In 2020 Ecuador exported 557.58 tons of grapes, 29.88% more than in 2019; and this year it is projected to produce between 500 and 600 tons more.

Almost a month after the start of the grape season in Ecuador, which is from July to December every year, there is optimism among producers for 2021, regarding the production, internal consumption and export of the fruit, despite because it is a young product in the country.

And it is that only ten years have passed since in 2011 Ecuador made its first shipment to an international market, Colombia.

Currently its main destination market is England, which in 2020 received 250 tons, followed by the European Union (EU), which imported 166.5 tons, and in the last two years 15% of the production has been exported. annually to Europe, according to figures from theAssociation of Grape Producers of Ecuador (Apruec), an also recent guild, formed in 2018 and that currently represents five table grape producing companies, a segment that covers 80% of the national production, the remaining 20% ​​are grapes destined for the production of wine.

Other destinations for Ecuadorian grapes are the Netherlands, Russia, Dubai and Qatar.

Anthony Escudero, director of Apruec, points out that 80% of the national production is concentrated in the province of Santa Elena and that currently eight varieties of table grapes are being developed for commercial purposes at the national level: RedGlobe, SweetGlobe, Arra 15 y 32, Allison, Ivory, Jack Salute, Sweet Celebration, although he recognized that the industry in Ecuador is still developing.

The country has almost 200 hectares of grape crops, compared to others in the more developed region, such as Peru with 25,000 hectares and Chile with more than 50,000, the latter with more than 100 years of production and the main supplier of grapes for the Ecuadorian domestic market, which last year received more than 14,800 tons from that country, which contributed 77% of the total grapes that arrived in Ecuador from abroad.

An analysis carried out in conjunction with the public sector in 2019 revealed that consumption per capita of grapes in Ecuador was 1.13 kg / year and that between 2019 and 2020 there was an increase of 20.13% in imports of table grapes from Chile, the United States, Mexico and Italy.

“This indicates that Ecuador has been a country accustomed to consuming imported goods, that is why seeing national grapes in markets or supermarket racks causes a certain impression on the consumer. You get a fresh product after being harvested ”, highlights Escudero, who also highlights that Ecuador's production and export figures are also on the rise.

In 2020 Ecuador exported 557.58 tons of grapes, 29.88% more than in 2019 when 429.30 tons came out. Regarding production, it is estimated that this year will be 3,000 tons, from 500 to 600 tons more than in 2019, which feeds the expectations of the industry that so far this year has already developed a program of eight containers for local sale, an estimated 18,250 boxes, Escudero said.

One of these companies isSan Lucar, from the province of Santa Elena, which provides fruit to national clients such as Corporación Favorita (Megamaxi, Supermaxi, Gran Aki, Aki, etc.), where the wholesale market, Portal, and Tía arrive directly through wholesalers, according to Juan Donoso, agronomist manager of the firm, which exports internationally to Germany, Austria, Russia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, companies in the sector are constantly looking for new markets to place the fruit and also take care of those that have managed to open, indicates Escudero, who points out that one of the challenges to stay is to substitute or diversify chemical products with those of organic composition in their processes production, since the phytosanitary requirements of destination countries, such as Europeans, require minimizing the use of chemicals or reducing the doses of certain molecules.

"National production is based on conventional and sustainable agriculture. The farms have Global GAP and Tesco certifications. Additionally, our exports to the European Union have complied in the last two years with the requirements of maximum residue limits (MRLs) that are imposed in the Regulation of the Commission of the European Parliament ”, assures the director of Apruec.

In addition, they also have the state certification of Good Agricultural Practices (PBA). Agrocalidad delivered two certifications, in December 2020, to the producing companies Agrifrutti and Quilziolli, also located in Santa Elena.

Donoso agrees with the union leader, assures that in order to reach the best markets it is necessary to carry out pest and disease control strategies among chemical, organic and biological products.

"We seek to meet the demands of national and international clients, who want a fruit with a low residual chemical load, this because every day consumers want a product that is more friendly to health and the environment," explains the manager. agronomist from San Lucar, who nevertheless rules out that the company seeks to produce 100% organic grapes.

It indicates that these are different types of agriculture, although it recognizes that an organic product has a higher value and the consumers of these products have a purchasing power above the average. "Any organic product is more expensive than a conventional one, and not everyone is willing to pay more," says Donoso, who assures that they always want to work as little as possible with chemical products.

Escudero also discards this alternative, assures that the producing farms are focused on traditional agriculture and at the moment there is no interest in producing organic grapes on a commercial scale in the country, because it is necessary to combat certain pests and fungi with agrochemicals and the cost it would be very high.

However, they are looking to diversify varieties. Escudero indicates that one of the member companies develops a Test Block of one hectare in which there are more than 20 varieties under investigation to analyze their adaptation and development to the climates and soils of the Santa Elena area, in order to continue with the development and increase of the surface of the varieties that are reflected profitable to produce in Ecuador.