In 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the importation of Hass avocados from Peru and that first year seven containers were shipped to the United States with the fruit inside having been subjected to a cold treatment. Parallel to this, the USDA also certified the Peruvian Avocado Organization to operate under the U.S. Federal Promotion Program for Avocados.

Shipments of avocados from Peru have been landing in U.S. ports since mid-May and are scheduled to continue well into late September.

“We are ready to fill the gap and help increase the consumption of avocados in the U.S.,” said Xavier Equihua, president of the Peruvian Avocado Commission and architect of the group’s U.S.-based Avocados from Peru promotion program. “Peru is going to be a good marketing partner and supply the U.S. what it needs.”

With the ability to significantly increase its footprint in U.S. market this summer season, the first shipments of Avocados from Peru have arrived in the U.S. and are available in promotional volumes now until late September. “As it's customary, Peru’s fruit will be heavily promoted from Memorial Day to Labor Day in the U.S.,” said Xavier Equihua, president of the Peruvian Avocado Commission.

Vanguard International has added new talent to its team with the hiring of Ignacio Ugarte in Chile and Fanny Robles in Peru.

Ugarte is an agronomist with years of produce industry experience. Ignacio’s past roles include quality controller with Decofrut as well as the operations manager at Aconex USA and Sun Valley. He also had a tenure with a Chilean produce platform based in Bangkok, Thailand, and for the last five years held the role of procurement manager in Chile and South America with Aozora New Zealand.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association reported a 3 percent increase in volume year-over-year for 2020 imports. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service statistics, Peruvian asparagus imports have grown to over 206 million pounds in 2020.  Peru is ranked as one of the top five countries that make up the majority contribution of fresh asparagus consumption in the United States for 2020.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association members focus on quality, convenience and steady volumes throughout the season.

“The fresh peruvian asparagus season, always delivers,” said Priscilla Lleras-Bush, executive director for PAIA. “PAIA importer members are consistently meeting the needs of the U.S. consumer.  Consumers are looking for quality – Peru brings quality to the retailers’ shelves.