Alfredo Rengifo runs a family cocoa and coffee production in the San Martín region in northern Peru. Even though Peru has reached the status of an upper-middle-income economy following two decades of remarkable economic growth, Rengifo faces challenges in establishing himself on the international market and in global value chains after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.

“When you negotiate the price of cocoa, it is based not only on a stock exchange level, but on its quality,” says Rengifo. “However, when there are no quality standards at the country level, you cannot compete on the global market. That is why UNIDO’s work in our country is crucial.”

In December 2015, the government of Peru and UNIDO began developing a holistic programme to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrialization in Peru. The Programme for Country Partnership Peru seeks to facilitate the mobilization of partners, expertise and resources to help advance modern, competitive and inclusive industries.

The objective of the Switzerland-funded Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) Peru, implemented by UNIDO, is to contribute to improvements in the export competitiveness and quality of the Peruvian coffee and cocoa value chains by ensuring the implementation of quality infrastructure services in pilot regions. The project supports and complements the National Policy for Quality plan developed by Peru’s National Quality Institute (INACAL).

Furthermore, it involves three coordinated components in a four-year project lifecycle in cooperation with the GQSP: technical competence and sustainability of the National Quality Infrastructure System, SMEs’ compliance with international standards, and the promotion of quality culture. GQSP Peru has field activities to help producers learn about Peru’s technical standards and best practices, which they can apply in their operations.

“With the help of this project and new national regulations, achieved with the great support of UNIDO, we can now reach cocoa prices of between US$1,500 and 3,000 per metric ton,” explains Rengifo. “We no longer sell just cocoa. We sell the taste of cocoa.”

Rengifo is motivated to further upgrade the quality of his crops and to be more competitive to create better opportunities for his family.

Project name: Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) Peru