Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Info provided and translated by the
American Chamber of Commerce of Peru (AmCham Peru)

In this analysis made by the OTA, organic food sales during 2005 represented only 2.5% of total food sales in the United States. But it is certain that this percentage will continue to grow. In fact, it is estimated that the penetration level of organic products has increased by nearly 20% annualy since 1997, while the average annual growth of the food industry is between 2-3%.

However, not anyone can sell organic products in the United States. Thus, a certified organic product needs to be produced accordingly with strict standards verified by a federal office or a private independent organization. The certification process includes inspections in the crop fields or processing plants, as well as the detailed mainteinance of records and periodic analysis of soil and water in order to make sure that the producers and those who handle the products are complying with standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With respect to market access, due to the increasing interest of U.S. consumers for organic foods, there has been a radical change in the way they are commercialized. Actually, this type of food is only found in specialty stores of natural products like Whole Food or in the shelves of supermarkets such as Kroger and Wal-Mart.

Due to all this, the American market offers diverse opportunities for Peruvian exporters, as much as for those of traditional foods (fruits and fresh vegetables), as well as the growing market of processed food and organic supplies. However, in all cases, the first step in order to be able to export products with the “organic” label is to have the mandatory certification that classifies the product as such.