Opportunities and Challenges of Purple Corn in Peru

The potential of purple corn in Peru can be better leveraged. According to recent data shared by food analyst Jorge Niño de Guzmán, based on content from Eduardo Zegarra's Agricultural Bulletin 17, this crop currently has in the country: 2,465 producers on the coast, working on 5,317 hectares; 4,590 producers in the highlands over 5,891 hectares; and 107 producers in the jungle over 56 hectares. "In total, 11,264 hectares are cultivated distributed among 7,162 producers, with productivity per farmer varying significantly by region," he added. Export ContextThe analyst recalled that between January and August 2023, Peru exported 588 tons of purple corn for US$ 1.18 million, with the United States as the main destination with 67% market share as receiver. "Additionally, anthocyanin extracts – key pigment – represent a growing niche for uses in natural colorants and nutraceuticals," he added. Jorge Niño de Guzmán complemented with the following technical analysis: 1. Production ...