Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association positioning asparagus industry for success
Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association positioning asparagus industry for success
According to the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, the Peruvian asparagus industry is setting standards for innovation, compliance with food and safety requirements, promotion and production.
In 2008, the association placed a major focus on innovation. "We have worked closely with the U.S. government agencies to advance the trade of fresh Peruvian asparagus here in the United States," Priscilla Lleras, PAIA coordinator, said in a press release. "We see the benefit of working together to search for new methods, technologies and strategies that will enhance trade and ultimately benefit consumers."
On Sept. 30, requirements for country-of-origin labeling were mandated for suppliers and retailers. Peruvian asparagus importers have worked diligently to ensure food and safety compliance, and the handlers assert that Peruvian asparagus is in compliance.
John-Campbell Barmmer, director of marketing for Chestnut Hill Farms and director of marketing and co-chairman of the PAIA, said in the release, "We have worked thoroughly with our suppliers to ensure absolute compliance with the COOL requirements. We have placed an emphasis on the retailers' needs and focused on the benefits of Peruvian asparagus. Specifically, we know that Peruvian asparagus is healthy and nutritious, and will complement any dinner table with the gourmet look."
Asparagus appears to be one of the top-five commodities featured with weekly ads, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service's National Fruit & Vegetable Retail Report. "With asparagus promotions [at the] retail level increasing, especially during the holidays, we will be able to accomplish the goals of assisting our customers with their promotion efforts by supplying a healthy product for their customers," Matt DeCarlo of Altar Produce, who is president and co-chairman of PAIA, said in the release.
"The XII International Asparagus Symposium is scheduled for October 27 through November 2, 2009, in Lima, Peru," Beatriz Tubino of the Instituto Peruano de Esparragos & Hortalizas said in the release. The symposium will attract many industry professionals and asparagus researchers from all over the world to share knowledge and experience in crop research, and it will help identify and establish local and international strategic alliances in the field of research, according to the association. "We are very pleased to welcome the XII IAS in Peru. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss cultivation, breeding, biotechnology and physiology," Ms. Tubino said in the release.
The Peruvian industry is continuing to make significant investments in production techniques and quality-control measures to ensure a continuing stable supply of the highest-possible-quality product. As consumption continues to increase, Peruvian asparagus will aid in the demand by providing retailers with sufficient supplies and enabling retailers to stock their produce shelves with healthy green and white Peruvian asparagus, said the association. This benefits U.S. consumers by making asparagus a year-round product and provides U.S. households with the advantage of providing a healthy and convenient vegetable for families' diets.
The association is focused on innovation, networking and trade enrichment, and it will focus even greater efforts in 2009 on spreading the positive word to the trade press, supermarkets and consumers concerning the benefits of fresh asparagus. Through articles, advertisements, direct-communication and trade show participation, the association anticipates increasing consumption and demand for fresh asparagus in 2009.
In 2008, the association placed a major focus on innovation. "We have worked closely with the U.S. government agencies to advance the trade of fresh Peruvian asparagus here in the United States," Priscilla Lleras, PAIA coordinator, said in a press release. "We see the benefit of working together to search for new methods, technologies and strategies that will enhance trade and ultimately benefit consumers."
On Sept. 30, requirements for country-of-origin labeling were mandated for suppliers and retailers. Peruvian asparagus importers have worked diligently to ensure food and safety compliance, and the handlers assert that Peruvian asparagus is in compliance.
John-Campbell Barmmer, director of marketing for Chestnut Hill Farms and director of marketing and co-chairman of the PAIA, said in the release, "We have worked thoroughly with our suppliers to ensure absolute compliance with the COOL requirements. We have placed an emphasis on the retailers' needs and focused on the benefits of Peruvian asparagus. Specifically, we know that Peruvian asparagus is healthy and nutritious, and will complement any dinner table with the gourmet look."
Asparagus appears to be one of the top-five commodities featured with weekly ads, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service's National Fruit & Vegetable Retail Report. "With asparagus promotions [at the] retail level increasing, especially during the holidays, we will be able to accomplish the goals of assisting our customers with their promotion efforts by supplying a healthy product for their customers," Matt DeCarlo of Altar Produce, who is president and co-chairman of PAIA, said in the release.
"The XII International Asparagus Symposium is scheduled for October 27 through November 2, 2009, in Lima, Peru," Beatriz Tubino of the Instituto Peruano de Esparragos & Hortalizas said in the release. The symposium will attract many industry professionals and asparagus researchers from all over the world to share knowledge and experience in crop research, and it will help identify and establish local and international strategic alliances in the field of research, according to the association. "We are very pleased to welcome the XII IAS in Peru. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss cultivation, breeding, biotechnology and physiology," Ms. Tubino said in the release.
The Peruvian industry is continuing to make significant investments in production techniques and quality-control measures to ensure a continuing stable supply of the highest-possible-quality product. As consumption continues to increase, Peruvian asparagus will aid in the demand by providing retailers with sufficient supplies and enabling retailers to stock their produce shelves with healthy green and white Peruvian asparagus, said the association. This benefits U.S. consumers by making asparagus a year-round product and provides U.S. households with the advantage of providing a healthy and convenient vegetable for families' diets.
The association is focused on innovation, networking and trade enrichment, and it will focus even greater efforts in 2009 on spreading the positive word to the trade press, supermarkets and consumers concerning the benefits of fresh asparagus. Through articles, advertisements, direct-communication and trade show participation, the association anticipates increasing consumption and demand for fresh asparagus in 2009.
