Gourmet News

Peruvian Exports Reach Record $63M in 2022

Published March 3, 2023

Peruvian exports have grown steadily over the last two decades thanks to the joint and coordinated work of the public and private sectors. In 2022, Peru achieved a record $63.193 billion in exports, up 3.7 percent from 2021.

Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Fernando Helguero explained that last year 9,127 Peruvian businesses (+6 percent) exported 4,953 products (+3 percent) to 168 markets.

Reports show that the non-energy and non-mining sectors (not related to mining or oil) accounted for 34 percent of total exports or $21.190 billion, a 12.3 percent increase over 2021.

These results have been achieved thanks to the work of over 8,364 Peruvian businesses (71 percent MSMEs), which exported 4,795 products to 165 markets.

The United States was the main destination market ($6.007 billion / +19.6 percent), followed by China ($2.262 billion / +1.3 percent), the Netherlands ($1.551 billion / +3.6 percent), Chile ($1.271 billion / +10.2 percent), and Ecuador ($1.227 million / +44 percent).

Peru’s regions were the main drivers of this growth, accounting for 58 percent of total non-mining and non-energy exports, worth over $12.222 billion and up 11.7 percent from 2021.

As part of its international promotion strategy, Peru seeks to position itself as a reliable, quality strategic partner across all of its industries. The agricultural ($9.807 billion), fishing ($4.023 billion) industries also posted record exports.

There were 1,018 products originating from Peru’s biodiversity, which boasted unprecedented sales, positioning the country as the leading global supplier of products such as blueberries, fresh grapes, and quinoa, to name just a few.

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Schuman Sets Record at US Championship Cheese Contest

Published March 1, 2023

Schuman Cheese, world-class fourth-generation cheese maker, is proud to announce a slew of wins at the prestigious 2023 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. Setting a record, Schuman is the first brand in history to sweep an entire category in the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, securing first place in the Parmesan Category with the brand’s Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan, as well as second through fifth place, and a number of additional category wins with products from its flagship brand, Cello.

For 75 years, Schuman has consistently set a standard for industry excellence; this record comes on the heels of being the first brand in history to sweep a full category in the World Championship Cheese Contest in 2022, as well as being named Grand Champion at the 2022 World Dairy Expo. Schuman has been honored to receive several additional first place accolades in 2022 at the Wisconsin State Fair and American Cheese Society Competition, solidifying the brand as a leader in the cheese industry.

Schuman’s flagship brand, Cello, received 2023 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest recognition across the Parmesan, Mascarpone, Asiago, Romano, Semi-Soft, Soft, Hard, and Flavored categories, emerging as a contest star. On a mission to help consumers “Cheese Confidently,” by making specialty cheese less intimidating for all, Cello maintains an unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality varietals that consumers have come to expect.

First place Schuman Cheese awards in the 2023 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest include:
Schuman Organic Copper Kettle, Parmesan Category
Cello Mascarpone, Soft Cheese Category
Cello Asiago, Asiago Category
Cello Fontal, Semi-Soft Cheese Category

Additional Schuman Cheese wins across the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest include:

Second Place Wins:
Cello Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan, Parmesan Category
Cello Mascarpone, Soft Cheese Category
Cello Traditional Romano, Hard Cheeses Category
Cello Creamy Dill Fontal, Semi-Soft Cheeses, Flavored Category

Third Place Wins:
Cello Extra Aged Copper Kettle Parmesan, Parmesan Category
Cello Black Pepper and Roasted Garlic Fontal, Semi-Soft Cheeses, Flavored Category

“We are deeply honored to once again receive this level of recognition across multiple categories in an esteemed industry contest,” said Christophe Megevand, master cheesemaker at Schuman Cheese. “I want to thank the Lake Country Dairy team for their hard work and craftsmanship. For 75 years, Schuman Cheese has upheld a promise to honor the true art of cheesemaking. We are proud to see those foundational values resonating across the industry and celebrate the craft we are all extremely passionate about.”

Looking ahead, Schuman Cheese plans to continue innovating and expanding upon their portfolio in new and unique ways. Delivering diverse flavors and innovative formats to consumers’ kitchens, the brand is excited to honor these most recent accolades by continuing to lead category growth ahead.

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Splash Expands SALT Tequila in New York State

Published February 28, 2023

Splash Beverage Group, Inc. , a portfolio company of leading beverage brands, has reached agreements with three distributors who will give SALT Tequila wide coverage in the majority of the counties in New York state, not including New York City, Try-It Distributing, A. L. George Distributing and Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service.

Try-It Distributing, founded in 1928, is a family-owned distributor located in Lancaster, N.Y., servicing Erie and Niagara Counties from a state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot facility. A.L. George Distributing, headquartered in Binghamton, is the fastest growing central New York distributor covering 12 counties from the Pennsylvania border to Lake Ontario along the I-81 corridor. Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service, located in Saratoga Springs is a family owned, full-service beverage distributor servicing 8 counties.

“These agreements are the foundation of a major push for SALT Tequila in the state of New York,” said Robert Nistico, Splash Beverage Group’s chairman and CEO. “All three distributors are in the Anheuser Busch network of distributors, which present a powerful distribution presence.

“They will provide SALT Tequila coverage in most New York state counties. Tequila continues to have a very large percentage of the overall growth in spirits, which we believe can provide strong tailwinds for SALT Tequila as it continues to expand its geographic footprint.”

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