With the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement (PAFTA) about to enter into force, the Australian market holds potential for a number of Peruvian fresh produce exports.

The PAFTA will be enacted from 11 February 2020 after being signed in 2018, and according to a publication from Peruvian foreign trade union, ComexPerú, the agreement is set to open a multitude of opportunities.

James Yeomans, deputy head of mission of the Australian Embassy in Peru, told ComexPerú the PAFTA will not just create growth for Peruvian products already exported to Australia, but it will open doors for new fruits and vegetables and the wider agricultural industry.

“The Peruvian products with the greatest potential to enter the Australian market are avocados, asparagus, table grapes, blueberries, tangerines,” Yeomans said.

Yeamans added the FTA could also increase the flow of technology and highly-qualified agricultural personnel.

ComexPerú also highlighted how the new agreement will help Peru compete with other South American countries when it comes to exporting to Australia, most notably Chile which already has a FTA with Australia.

Chile is the only other South American country with a FTA with Australia, it entered into force in the first quarter of 2009.

Despite this advantage, Chile is still working on gaining the ability to export certain products to Australia. One example avocado, with some in the Australian industry predicting access will not be achieved until 2021, despite recent progress.  

Still, ComexPerú, expects the agriculture sector to be one of the main beneficiaries.

“The trade agreement with Australia means new opportunities for Peruvians, who will be able to access a new range of high-quality goods and services, and one of the largest markets in the world to sell their products and services,” ComexPerú said.