Peru has become one of Latin America’s largest agro – export markets. Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) has projected record export figures exceeding US$ 65 billion in international sales.
In this context, Beatriz Tubino, Manager of New Business, Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability at Agroextiende, stated in an interview with DFSUD that the plan is to transform the company into an “agro-export complex” in the country.
Agroextiende is a Peruvian – capital company that manages investment funds for agro-export business development. It operates over 1,000 hectares in Piura, where it is currently developing its Agro-Industrial Complex.
Tubino, who is also a player on the national basketball team— though currently sidelined by injury—mentioned: “Our vision is to become an agro-export complex.” To achieve this, she projected that “by 2028, we will have 400 hectares of blueberries under a business model where we attract third-party investments (individual investors) to develop the business.”
In this regard, the food engineer from the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina explained that the long- term return on investment offered to investors is “a minimum of 25 – 30%, which is significantly higher than the financial system.”
This applies to the microfinance scheme, where investments are made in small plots of a few hectares. Meanwhile, she explained that for larger plots of between 40 and 100 hectares— also targeted at developing the agro – export business — a minimum investment of US$ 15,000 is required, with returns delivered by the third year.
“Throughout my professional career, I have worked in industry associations and the private sector. Now, I am in charge of bringing investors together and creating an entire business and trust model for third parties to invest in Peru, specifically in Peruvian blueberry agro-exports—a product in which the country is the world’s leading exporter,” Tubino emphasized.
Seeking Investments: Focus on Chile and China
According to the expert, global consumption of agricultural products is rising, and Peru remains a growing market. One of the key drivers for the industry and the country will be the Port of Chancay, “which offers an efficient gateway to Asia and a profit margin we can share.”
Tubino noted that they already have 300 investors and opened their first office in Chile a few months ago to attract more individuals interested in their business model.
“We chose Chile because our countries are brothers in agribusiness,” the engineer emphasized. However, they will not stop at these two markets, as the plan is to expand regionally: “We are also looking at China to bring investment to Peru. Having this efficient gateway through the Port of Chancay will keep us much better connected.”
Regarding this market, Tubino revealed that they have already held talks with Chinese firms to invest in Agroextiende. “Negotiations are actually further along than with regional countries, but because many of these companies have a Chinese government component, timelines take longer.”
Peru in the Lead
Today, the Peruvian market leads global blueberry exports, surpassing Chile, which previously held the top spot. According to Tubino, this is due to Peru leveraging its comparative advantages, such as a climate that enables faster varietal replacements, harvests, and returns on investment.
Additionally, the Peruvian market benefits from flexible commercial windows and agronomic management tailored toward high-opportunity markets. “That field management and commercial strategy are possible because we have a more stable climate, which helps us enter markets effectively.”
Furthermore, Peruvian production units “are larger than in many other countries, allowing us to achieve economies of scale, efficiency, and greater product uniformity across export lots.”
These factors have built confidence among investors and consumers in Peruvian produce. However, Tubino clarified: “All of this is also thanks to Chile and its fruit agro- export expertise, which they have shared with us through more than US$ 4 billion in Chilean agro-export investments in Peru.”
Read the full article here:
https://dfsud.com/peru/beatriz-tubino-la-seleccionada-peruana-de-basquetbol-que-quiere
