Peru has been announced as the partner country for next year's Fruit Logistica, the leading global fresh produce trade event which takes place in Berlin, Germany on 6-8 February 2013.

'I am delighted that Peru will be presenting itself at our event with its array of quality fruit and vegetables, which is rapidly gaining increasing global recognition,' said Dr Christian Göke, COO of event organiser Messe Berlin. 'Fruit Logistica is an ideal platform for Peru to further boost its fruit and vegetable exports, as this is where the international fresh produce trade meets.'

The South America country officially sponsored its first national pavilion at Fruit Logistica in 2003 and, since then, the size of its exhibition space has increased significantly along with the number of exhibitors.

Peru's key objectives as the Fruit Logistica partner country are to develop new markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, strengthen the marketing of avocados and citrus fruit in Europe and the U.S., and to become firmly established in markets with which Peru has trade agreements.

According to PromPerú, the commission responsible for promoting Peruvian exports and tourism, the country exported 842m tonnes of fresh produce worth USD1.1bn last year, with key exports including table grapes, asparagus, avocados, mangoes, bananas and citrus fruit.