Exports to Peru Continue to Skyrocket

LIMA, PERU – U.S. rice exports to Peru continue to climb, with a dramatic increase of more than 970 percent from 2013 to 2014.  Because local production is not sufficient to meet consumption needs, exports have again increased 5 percent (to more than 5,500 MT) in the first seven months of this year compared with the first seven months of 2014.

Promotional efforts in the country are keeping pace.  Earlier this month, USA Rice teamed up with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) to present a series of cooking workshops featuring American rice and poultry.  

The first seminar was conducted at Comercial Tres Estrellas S.A., a wholesale company with 30 years’ experience marketing food to the hotel, restaurant, and institutional sectors of Peru.  The government of Peru is actually their primary customer.

“Our company has a social responsibility [to] the Peruvian state…providing food of high quality and safety,” said Walter Medina Quispe, head of the department of nutrition at Comercial Tres Estrellas.  “We ensure our raw materials [are] of the highest quality and our staff [is properly trained].  Seminars like this help make all of this possible.”

At the workshop, participants learned about the U.S. rice industry, preparation techniques, and how to increase profits using U.S.-grown rice.  Israel Laura, renowned executive chef, culinary professor, and TV personality, conducted the seminar with plans for two more before the end of September.

“It's amazing what you can do with rice,” Laura said.  “This seminar provides a comprehensive understanding of the types of U.S. rice available here, and how to combine these American ingredients of the finest quality with the cooking techniques and flavors of Peruvian cuisine.”