Arabfields, Lima, Peru — In a significant boost to Peru’s agricultural sector, the country has secured access to China’s massive consumer base for its bananas and pomegranates through a newly signed phytosanitary protocol. The agreement, formalized during a high-level ceremony in Lima, marks a milestone in bilateral relations and promises to invigorate Peru’s export-driven economy, particularly benefiting small-scale farmers who dominate these industries.

The protocol was signed by Peru’s Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Vladimir Cuno Salcedo, and Sun Meijun, a representative from China’s General Administration of Customs. This accord grants Peruvian producers entry into a market of over 1.4 billion consumers, where demand for high-quality fresh fruits continues to surge amid rising incomes and health-conscious trends. The signing culminates years of meticulous technical collaboration between Peru’s National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) and Chinese customs authorities, involving rigorous pest risk analyses, cold treatment validations, and compliance with stringent sanitary standards to ensure the fruits pose no threat to China’s ecosystems.

Peru’s agricultural exports have been on an upward trajectory in recent years, positioning the nation as a key player in global fruit trade. In 2024, the country exported approximately 148,000 tonnes of bananas, primarily from the northern Piura region, which accounts for about 85 percent of national production. Pomegranate exports, meanwhile, reached around 28,000 tonnes, with the southern Ica region leading at 75 percent of output and shipments. These figures, while robust, represent opportunities for further growth, especially as Peru diversifies beyond traditional markets in Europe and North America.

The banana industry in Peru is characterized by its focus on organic and conventional varieties, with exports valued at roughly $144 million in recent years. Production has faced fluctuations due to weather events like El Niño, which impacted yields in 2024, leading to a slight decline from previous highs of 152,000 tonnes. Nonetheless, the sector employs thousands, many in smallholder operations where families cultivate plots averaging a few hectares. Bananas from Piura are prized for their sweetness and resilience, often grown under sustainable practices that align with international certifications.

Pomegranates, on the other hand, have emerged as a star performer in Peru’s export portfolio. The 2024 season, despite challenges from reduced production volumes earlier in the year, closed with shipments nearing 30,000 tonnes and revenues exceeding $80 million. Ica’s arid climate and advanced irrigation systems make it ideal for pomegranate cultivation, yielding fruits known for their vibrant color, juiciness, and antioxidant-rich arils. Exports grew by about 33 percent in volume compared to prior periods, driven by demand in the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom. However, a 40 percent drop in overall production due to climatic factors and pest pressures highlighted vulnerabilities, prompting industry leaders to seek new outlets like China to stabilize markets.

Small producers form the backbone of both industries, often operating through cooperatives or aggregator companies that handle processing and logistics. Minister Cuno emphasized the deal’s role in empowering these farmers during the ceremony. “We have a wide variety of products that are ready for export,” he stated, underscoring how access to China could catalyze agricultural reactivation and foster innovative value chains. By integrating small-scale agriculture into global supply networks, the protocol aims to enhance livelihoods, reduce poverty in rural areas, and promote sustainable farming techniques.

The agreement includes specific provisions for cold treatment to mitigate pest risks, a critical requirement for pomegranate imports into China. Under the protocol, shipments must undergo a quarantine process at 1.67 degrees Celsius for 17 days, ensuring the elimination of potential threats like fruit flies without compromising fruit quality. Industry associations, such as ProGranada, are already exploring a secondary protocol at 5.2 degrees Celsius for 36 days to minimize chilling injuries, a process that could take additional years to validate through international bodies. For bananas, similar phytosanitary measures focus on disease control, leveraging Peru’s status as free from certain tropical pests.

Beyond the protocol, the Lima event featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation. This broader pact seeks to deepen technical exchanges, share best practices in agri-food safety, and facilitate future market access for other Peruvian products. It builds on existing collaborations, reflecting a commitment to long-term partnership in an era of global food security challenges.

This development is embedded within the evolving Peru-China economic relationship, anchored by a free trade agreement (FTA) originally signed in 2009 and upgraded in recent years. Bilateral trade reached $43 billion in 2024, with Peru’s exports to China surging 15 percent to $29 billion, dominated by minerals but increasingly diversified into agriculture. Fruits like grapes, blueberries, and avocados already enjoy strong footholds in China, contributing to Peru’s agribusiness boom. In 2024 alone, agricultural exports from Peru totaled over $10 billion, projected to surpass $11.5 billion by year’s end, underscoring the sector’s role as a economic engine.

China’s appetite for imported fruits aligns perfectly with Peru’s counter-seasonal production advantages. As the world’s largest fruit consumer, China imports billions in fresh produce annually, with gaps in domestic supply for items like pomegranates, which it does not produce significantly from January to May. Peruvian bananas could tap into urban markets where convenience and nutrition drive purchases. Analysts estimate that initial shipments could add millions to export revenues, with potential for scaling up as logistics improve, particularly through the new Chancay port, a Chinese-funded megaproject set to slash shipping times and costs between the two nations.

The economic ripple effects extend beyond direct sales. Enhanced exports are expected to generate jobs in packing, transportation, and related services, particularly in underserved regions like Piura and Ica. For small farmers, access to China means better prices and reduced dependency on volatile European markets, where competition from other Latin American producers is fierce. Moreover, the deal encourages investments in technology, such as improved irrigation and pest management, to meet China’s exacting standards, fostering overall sector modernization.

Challenges remain, however. Compliance with cold treatment and other protocols adds costs, potentially straining small operations without adequate support. Climate variability, including droughts and floods, continues to threaten yields, as seen in the 2024 pomegranate downturn. Industry groups are advocating for government subsidies, training programs, and infrastructure upgrades to mitigate these risks. Additionally, while irradiation has opened doors to the U.S. market, establishing domestic facilities could further enhance competitiveness globally.

Looking ahead, Peru’s agricultural ambitions extend to other exotic fruits, such as passion fruit, Amazon chestnuts, and frozen mangoes, with ongoing negotiations under the MoU. As host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2025, Peru is leveraging diplomatic platforms to accelerate these talks, positioning itself as a reliable supplier in the Asia-Pacific region.

This phytosanitary breakthrough not only expands market horizons for Peruvian bananas and pomegranates but also symbolizes the deepening ties between two nations separated by the Pacific yet united by shared economic aspirations. For Peru’s farmers, it represents a gateway to prosperity, transforming local harvests into global opportunities