China is interested in Peruvian pecan and wants to import it

Photo: Freepik.

According to a report by La República, China imports nearly 50% of the in-shell pecan supply in the global market. After six years of work and negotiations between both nations, the phytosanitary protocol was finally resolved, and now Peru has obtained the license to be included in the list of pecan suppliers for the Asian country.

According to Gabriel Amaro, president of the Association of Agricultural Producers’ Guilds of Peru, and Juan Carlos Santhome, president of the pecan producers’ guild of the Association of Farmers of Ica, the expansion of Peru’s agro-export product basket—currently led by grapes and coffee—is linked to the high quality of Peruvian pecans and the superstition among Chinese citizens that when the shell of the Mahan pecan variety has a double tip, it brings them protection.

This symbolism has a cultural meaning that varies depending on the shape of the shell. For example, if the fruit has two identical tips, it is believed that evil spirits will be kept away, and people will enjoy longevity. In this regard, the presidents of the mentioned associations stated that only the Mahan variety has these characteristics, unlike the Mohawk pecan, which has a different shell.

However, there is a challenge with the Mahan variety’s shell: its fragility and susceptibility to fungi during rainy seasons. Because of this, Ica’s climate is ideal for its production. The People’s Republic of China recognized these favorable characteristics in Peruvian pecan farms, and for this reason, it pays a higher price compared to other varieties available in the global market.

Regarding the export of this product, it is noted that Ica is the primary cultivation area, accounting for 70% to 80% of the total, while 17% is located in Lima, and the remaining small percentage is found in some parts of Arequipa. The entity responsible for managing everything related to this fruit is the National Agrarian Health and Food Safety Service (Senasa), which, besides facilitating access to China, ensures the phytosanitary quality of pecans by identifying all producers.

Peru has a strong track record of pecan exports, with 32 international commercial sales, including key markets such as the European Union, Ecuador, and Hong Kong. However, the new connection with the Chinese market is expected to be more profitable due to better sale prices. With this in mind, pecan exports in 2025 are projected to reach between 2,500 and 3,000 tons, a significant increase compared to 2017, when annual exports were recorded at 1,000 tons.

It is important to highlight that Peruvian pecan production is mainly managed by small and medium-sized producers, who could be encouraged to expand their participation in the global market with China’s recent entry and the agricultural law currently being processed in Peru. This law aims to provide subsidies and combat informality in agriculture, which today affects 90% of producers.

On the other hand, the president of the pecan producers’ guild emphasized that Senasa’s role remains crucial, as maintaining the traceability of pecan producers ensures an optimal production process that meets all the sanitary requirements imposed by the Chinese market. Additionally, this prevents dishonest traders from selling products that do not meet the required characteristics, especially those related to the cultural and symbolic meanings attached to the Mahan pecan shell shape.

Last but not least, the spokespeople emphasized that key events such as the inauguration of the Chancay port, the presence of Chinese business investors in the country, and the hosting of APEC in 2024 were essential in making the export pathway of Peruvian pecans to the People’s Republic of China a reality.

Main Source:

China reconoce la calidad de la pecana peruana y le abre puertas a su exportación – La República

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