Arabfields, Lima, Peru — The inaugural Asia Fruit Logistica Peru Meet Up, a highly anticipated event aimed at fostering trade connections between Latin America’s fresh produce sector and Asian markets, has been postponed indefinitely due to mounting political instability and safety concerns in the Peruvian capital. Originally slated for October 28-29, 2025, at the Swissotel in Lima, the gathering was expected to draw industry leaders, growers, and buyers from over 20 countries for networking, discussions, and insights into regional business opportunities. Organizers cited the rapidly evolving political situation as the primary reason for the deferral, prioritizing attendee safety above all else.
David Axiotis, managing director of Global Produce Events (Hong Kong), the event’s organizer, expressed regret over the decision in a statement released on October 21, 2025. “With only a week away, the current situation in Lima has become too unpredictable for us to hold the Peru Meet Up as originally planned,” Axiotis said. “Safety always being our highest priority, it is with a heavy heart that we have to take this decision now while allowing our registered attendees coming from more than 20 countries to reliably adjust their travel itineraries.”
Axiotis emphasized the strong support the event had garnered, underscoring the organizers’ commitment to Peru as a strategic hub for exploring fresh produce opportunities across Latin America and beyond. “The tremendous enthusiasm and support we have so far received for the Peru Meet Up underlines our ongoing commitment and the potential we see for Peru as a hub to exploring local business opportunities across the whole region,” he added. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and remain confident to hold the event in the near future.” New dates for the rescheduled event will be announced at a later time, according to the organizers.
Asia Fruit Logistica is Asia’s premier annual international trade exhibition dedicated exclusively to the fresh fruit and vegetable marketing sector. Organized by Global Produce Events (HK) Co., Limited, a joint venture between Messe Berlin GmbH and industry partners, the event covers the entire fresh produce value chain, from production and logistics to innovative products and services. It serves as a key platform for buyers, sellers, and stakeholders in Asia, attracting participants from Hong Kong, China, Macau, and broader regional markets.
The Peru Meet Up represents an extension of this established brand into Latin America, marking its inaugural edition in 2025. Designed as a two-day forum, it was intended to spotlight innovation and trade opportunities between Latin America, Asia, and global markets. The program promised high-quality content, including panel discussions on supply chain dynamics, market trends, and export strategies, alongside networking sessions to connect local Peruvian growers with international buyers. Prior promotions highlighted the event’s role in building fresh connections for Latin America’s fruit trade, with excitement building around participation from global industry giants.
Peru’s selection as the host underscores its growing prominence in the global fresh produce industry. The country has emerged as a fruit-exporting powerhouse, with agricultural exports surpassing $6 billion in 2024, driven by flagship products like fresh avocados and blueberries. Peru ranks as the world’s largest exporter of blueberries, grapes, asparagus, and quinoa, and the second-largest for avocados. From 2010 to 2020, its fruit exports skyrocketed from $540 million to $3.8 billion, fueled by demand for grapes, blueberries, and avocados. In 2024 alone, fresh fruit exports grew modestly to 2.1 million tonnes, despite challenges in some categories like avocados and table grapes. This positions Peru as a critical Southern Hemisphere supplier, rivaling Chile in the global market.
The Meet Up was poised to capitalize on this momentum, positioning Peru as a bridge between Latin American producers and Asian consumers, where demand for premium fresh produce continues to rise.
