PAIA promotes closer industry relationships through PMA
PAIA promotes closer industry relationships through PMA
The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association has joined the Produce Marketing Association to develop a closer working relationship with the various members that constitute a majority of asparagus sales in the retail and foodservice market segments.
In 2003, supermarket sales of fresh asparagus were estimated at $543 million, or more than 1 percent of total produce department sales. Sales through the foodservice sector are currently estimated at more than $200 million annually.
Part of the message PAIA will communicate through its membership in PMA is the dramatic increase in the consumption of fresh asparagus. Since 1999, per-capita consumption has grown by more than 22 percent.
PMA provides PAIA a forum to speak about the tremendous contribution Peru has made to this growth in demand for fresh asparagus. In 2004, Peru represented more than 45 percent of all fresh asparagus import values.
"Much of this growth has been driven by increased retailer and foodservice demand for Peruvian asparagus because of its increasing reputation for consistent quality," said John-Campbell Barmmer of Bounty Fresh in Miami, FL, who is co-chair of PAIA. In the last three years, Peruvian asparagus growers have invested more than $1 million in product-quality improvement programs and the country has taken a leadership role in GAP and GMP certification as well as full cooperation in new bioterrorism and C-TPAT import regulations.
In 2003, supermarket sales of fresh asparagus were estimated at $543 million, or more than 1 percent of total produce department sales. Sales through the foodservice sector are currently estimated at more than $200 million annually.
Part of the message PAIA will communicate through its membership in PMA is the dramatic increase in the consumption of fresh asparagus. Since 1999, per-capita consumption has grown by more than 22 percent.
PMA provides PAIA a forum to speak about the tremendous contribution Peru has made to this growth in demand for fresh asparagus. In 2004, Peru represented more than 45 percent of all fresh asparagus import values.
"Much of this growth has been driven by increased retailer and foodservice demand for Peruvian asparagus because of its increasing reputation for consistent quality," said John-Campbell Barmmer of Bounty Fresh in Miami, FL, who is co-chair of PAIA. In the last three years, Peruvian asparagus growers have invested more than $1 million in product-quality improvement programs and the country has taken a leadership role in GAP and GMP certification as well as full cooperation in new bioterrorism and C-TPAT import regulations.
