On October 31, under the framework of the newly signed phytosanitary protocol between China and Peru, Peruvian bananas and pomegranates are set to enter the Chinese market, becoming the latest Peruvian fruit and vegetable products available in China . The signing ceremony was held in Lima, where Peruvian Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation Vladimir Cuno Salcedo and China's Minister of the General Administration of Customs Sun Meijian signed the agreement, enabling Peruvian producers to access a market of over 1.4 billion consumers. 

Midagri stated that the signing of these protocols marks the successful completion of years of joint technical work between the phytosanitary agency Senasa and Chinese customs authorities . Data from the ministry shows that Peru exported 148,000 tons of bananas and 28,000 tons of pomegranates in 2024 . The Piura region accounts for 85% of Peru's banana production, while the Ica region contributes 75% of the national pomegranate production and exports . The production of these agricultural products primarily relies on small-scale farmers . The ministry emphasized that the new agreement will strengthen the integration of smallholder economies into the global agricultural export chain .

"We have a rich variety of products for export," Cuno said, adding that the opening of the Chinese market will positively impact the revitalization of Peru's agriculture and the generation of new value chains . During the same ceremony, China and Peru also signed a memorandum of understanding on sanitary and phytosanitary matters, aimed at consolidating technical and agricultural food cooperation between the two countries .

Peru's latest pomegranate export season has concluded successfully, with international export value exceeding $100 million (approximately 713 million RMB) for the first time . According to the latest statistics from the Peruvian Export Promotion Agency (PromPerú), the total export volume for this season increased from 30,000 tons to 40,000 tons, a growth of 33% . The Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom form the three core export markets, where Peruvian pomegranates have established a reputation for quality thanks to their unique flavor and excellence.

According to the protocol, pomegranates exported to China require cold treatment . "The protocol requires pomegranates to be kept at 1.67 degrees Celsius for 17 days, which will allow the fruit to officially enter the Chinese market for the first time. China does not produce pomegranates between January and May, so the market potential is huge," emphasized José Luis Gereda, President of the Peruvian Pomegranate Export Promotion Committee (ProGranada) . ProGranada predicts that by 2026, Peruvian pomegranate production will increase by nearly 10% . This growth momentum will primarily come from the formal opening of the Chinese market, the continued relaxation of U.S. import policies on irradiated fruits, and steady growth in consumer demand from the European market .