Prehispanic cultures domesticated in the Andean region yacon, a plant,
potentially has interesting attributes to human health and, in the future,
It can represent an important source of income in the population
rural Peru.
Some years ago he was not given more importance to this root because it was considered that
its nutritional value was very low, so it left out investigations. For these
reasons, there is currently very little information on the culture, technologies and
yacon processing.
However, recently they have begun to discover and disseminate some of their
promising properties and has been generated in the population is growing interest in this
product. For a couple of years ago yacon has begun to arrive, inclusive, to
major supermarket chains in the cities.
They have carried out experiments in laboratory animals, from which it has
concluded that yacon consumption improves calcium absorption and reducing the level of
cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose in the blood. This means that the use of yacon
human diets may help prevent and alleviate diseases such as osteoporosis,
arteriosclerosis and diabetes. However, it is preferable not to brag about these
potential benefits, since the effects of yacon in humans have been poorly
studied so far, and there is no greater promotion for a product under development
that throwing a false image that could be harmful in the future.
Cajamarca has soils and climates that favor the cultivation of yacon of excellent quality,
which can be transformed into different products whose potential demand is very
Sexy and generate higher incomes for the population, while achieving the
sustainable development of agriculture in the region. It is up to the agencies
state and private institutions the successful use of this crop
legendary fruit is expected in the near future.
Yacon 3.1 Description
Yacon is a root with a very nice and sweet on the palate, which grows in the valleys
Andean temperate. It is a familiar garden plant that grows with herbs
shrubs and trees at the edge of the fields of corn, sweet potatoes, vegetable plots or along
with beans, potatoes, cabbage, celeriac, coffee and fruit.
This result has a high content of inulin and fructooligosaccharides
1
(FOS), which do not
can be assimilated by the human body because they lack the enzymes necessary to
metabolism, thereby providing a lower level of calories compared
to sucrose, being an excellent choice for low-calorie diets and for
diabetics.
3.2 Names
In northern Peru is known as "Yacon" or "llacón" and "lajuash". In the center of Peru
is known as "aricoma" or "aricona". In Bolivia called "lacjon" and "Yakuma" in Ecuador
"Jicama" or "Jiquima" and in Colombia and Venezuela "Jiquima" and "jiquimilla". In English it is known
Yacon as Strawberry and Poir French as de terre Cochet.
3.3 Properties and uses
There is evidence to consider the FOS as functional foods, including their properties
found:
Stimulate the growth of intestinal flora (prebiotic).
Are free of calories, so they are recommended for weight control diets.
Inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, Listeria, Shigella,
Salmonella).
Tolerated by diabetics and ideal for hypoglycemic people. Benefits
both because it tends to regulate the levels of insulin.
Lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Increase the absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Facilitate intestinal motility (people with constipation is recommended).
Helps lower cholesterol levels.
Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
Presentations
soluble sugar.
Strengthens the immune system.
Uses fresh
In local markets yacon is classified as a fruit and sold along with others like
custard apples, apples, pineapple, etc.. and not with potatoes, oca, ulluco, mashua or arracacha.
Storage root yacon has a pleasant sweet taste and is usually consumed
after a period of sun drying. This procedure increases the sweetness of the
roots and they are ready when the skin begins to wrinkle. Consumed peeling skin
or mixing with other fruits like banana or orange.
Using processing
•
Chancaca.
•
Syrups.
•
Dehydrated flakes.
•
Yacon pickles.
•
Forage use.
3.4 Tariff Item
The tariff headings that have been used so far to export or yacon
products based on the tuber and its description are shown below in
the following table:
Table 1
Yacon Tariff headings and Derivatives
Description
Game
Other roots and high starch or inulin content, fresh tubers
chilled, frozen or dried, whole or sliced
"Pellets".
0714909000
Other flour, meal and powder of the vegetables of heading
07.13, of sago or of roots or tubers of heading 07.14.
1106309090
Other plants and parts of plants, seeds and fruits of
kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or
for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh or dried,
whether or not cut, crushed or powdered.
1211909090
Other vegetable saps and extracts.
1302190090
Other sugars, including chemically pure lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose
(Levulose) fructose, in solid form; syrup
sugar not containing added flavoring or coloring matter, artificial
honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey.
1702909000
Vegetables (including "wild"), fruit, nuts or
peel and other parts of plants, preserved by sugar
(Drained, glacé or crystallized).
2006000000
Other food preparations, not elsewhere
items.
2106909090
Yerba Mate.
9030000000
Source: Customs, Peru.
Prepared Own.
Page 7
6
It is worth mentioning that some items are not currently in force (February
2004) such as: 1302190090 and 2106909090.
4
Current Situation
4.1
Geographic Distribution
Yacon is in cultivated and wild from Venezuela and Colombia to
northern Argentina. In recent years it has become apparent distribution and
variability in Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.
Currently, yacon already planting in many countries outside the Andes. The route
migration that followed has been fully identified. In the 60s came yacon
for the first time from Ecuador to New Zealand, the country in which he adapted well and where
Today is planted on a small scale to market their fresh roots. In 1985 he was
brought from New Zealand to Japan. Perhaps this constitutes the most important step of the
migration of yacon by the world as it is in Japan where the first took place
scientific studies allowed to determine its chemical composition and its effects
favorable health. Japan has been the center of dispersion of yacon to other
countries like Korea and Brazil.
Countries as diverse as the Czech Republic, China, Korea, United States, Paraguay and
Taiwan currently yacon plant. However, in Japan where they have made the
Most scientific research related to agricultural management,
chemical composition, properties, health and development of processed products. In
Brazil, where yacon came in 1991 from Japan, have also been some progress in
research on these issues.
4.2 Performance
The interesting character of yacon is its high productivity. Some reports
available indicate a variation from 10 to 100 tons per hectare in Table No. 2
You can see the average root as the area where it has been cultivated.
Brazil currently produces yacon in very reduced form in the state of Sao Paulo in
Ibiúna regions, Suzano and Piedade. Such regions are populated by colonies
Japanese who are trying to plant and grow yacon for internal consumption. Without
But the climate and the low altitude of Brazilian soils make growing this
product is poor.
Page 8
7
Table No. 2
Yacon Average Yield (t / ha.)
Locality
Average
Capao Bonito, Sao Paulo, Brazil
100
Ibaraki, Japan
49
Oxapampa, Pasco, Peru
48
Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
43
Japan
40
Baños del Inca, Cajamarca, Peru
39.5
Hualqui, Cajamarca, Peru
39
Eucalyptus, Cajamarca, Peru
31
Santa Catalina, Quito, Ecuador
29
Ahuabamba, Cusco, Peru
28
Chanju, Korea
28
Average Total
43
Source: Yacon: Fundamentals split exploiting a promising resource.
Prepared Own.
In the particular case of Cajamarca, the average assessed for several
campaigns and four sites is about 40 to 50 tons / ha.
4.3 Growing Areas in Peru
In Peru, cultivation occurs in the high Andean region of 17 to 24 departments that
note: Piura, Cajamarca, Amazonas, Lambayeque, La Libertad, San Martín, Ancash,
Huanuco, Pasco, Lima, Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Apurimac, Arequipa, Cuzco and Puno.
The best growing conditions are given in upper floors of the Yungas region and middle floors
the Quechua region (1.100 to 2.500 m). However, this plant has adapted
quickly on the coast and jungle. In northern Peru not support more than 3,000 m,
but reaches the edge of the jungle in the departments of Cajamarca, Amazonas and San Martin.
The culture down to Lima, Trujillo and other coastal departments. Requires
1,000 Mm. annual rainfall, frost does not support, but if there is damage, are offset by
excellent regrowth.
The main niche production in Peru are in:
Amazon: Utcubamba, Bongará, Chachapoyas.
Ancash: Huaraz, Caraz, Yungay.
Apurimac: Andahuaylas and Abancay.
Arequipa: Arequipa.
Ayacucho: Huamanga and Huanta.
Page 9
8
Cajamarca: Cajamarca, Contai, San Marcos, San Ignacio and Jaén.
Cerro de Pasco: Oxapampa.
Cuzco Urubamba, Cusco, Calca, Paucartambo Convention.
Huanuco: Huanuco.
Junín: Huancayo, Concepción, Cockaigne, Tarma.
Freedom: Otuzco, Santiago de Chuco and Sanchez Carrión.
Lambayeque: Incahuasi.
Lima: Pachacamac and Yauyos.
Piura: Ayabaca and.
Puno: Sandia and Carabaya.
Production of these niches, the most prominent are Cajamarca, Puno, Oxapampa
Huanuco and Junin. South of Peru, in the departments of Cuzco, Apurimac and Puno
highlights several provinces with a long tradition of cultivation and use
yacon.
Overall, in the past two years, have increased the consumption and marketing
throughout the country. Now you can easily get fresh yacon in cities.
Also beginning to sell at fairs as happens, juice, syrup and jam. It
Most recently, which surprised researchers and farmers, was the opening of
market yacon leaves, which are eaten as a filter tea infusion.
This was varied in order to harvest and creates the need to investigate the
production, harvest and post-harvest of leaves.
4.3.1 Statistics growing areas in Peru
Official statistics planting areas yacon in Peru are very slim. In the
last three decades the annual planting area of yacon was much less than 100 ha in all
the country, according to official statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is from the year
2000 commercial planting yacon starts to increase in different regions
of Peru. In August 2003, yacon plantings in major areas
production was estimated at no less than 600 ha
4.3.2 Production in Cajamarca
Planting is done between June and August in irrigated plots and between October and
December under showers system. In other cases no actual planting is done,
but at the end of the cycle and when the stems are dead extracted heels
Mature and strain is left in the same place.
There is a long tradition of cultivation, consumption and marketing of yacon in Cajamarca.
For example, older Contumazá niches are Sochedón and Chapolán, Silacot,
Ishcayacu and San Antonio.
In the community of Hualqui (Jesus district of the province of Cajamarca), cultivation,
marketing and barter yacon (products uptown), are very old and
persist until today. Part of the production is used to supply the market of Jesus and
Cajamarca. In the district of Asunción, in the province of Cajamarca, highlight the villages
of Pachano, FAPUC, and tomato, with old tradition of growing and marketing to the
coast, Thursday and Sunday. Other niches are Namora, Matara and San Marcos.
Page 10
9
Recent experience in the north is the case of San Ignacio, Jaen and Bagua. These
points are formed by migrant populations of Chota, Cutervo, Huancabamba and
Ayabaca. Always planted on a small scale, but in the last two years, due to the
market expansion, have the largest planted areas. Due to the climate of these
provinces can be planted almost year round yacon and get harvest at seven months and
half or eight months.
4.4 Exportable Offer
Yacon is a root that can grow to heights between 900 and 3,500 m, but the
cultivation in the Yungas and Quechua areas (2,000 - 2,500 m) are the best for the
soil quality and temperatures that allow two crops a year. Temperature
optimal for growth of yacon is between 18 and 25 ° C. The requirement
Water is considered to be optimal at around 800 mm and has a better
root growth in soil with plenty of humus and rich in minerals.
The departments with suitable soil and climate for the production of yacon
high quality are mainly: Piura, Cajamarca, San Martin, La Libertad, Ancash and
Huanuco. The culture no very significant pests, which currently exist
can be controlled without difficulty, among these are: chewers
leaves, parrots, roots and slug eaters.
The quantity exported yacon and its derivatives have increased compared to the
previous years. The companies that currently export products based on yacon
can be seen in Table 3, these exported mainly to countries
Japan, Germany and USA
4.5 Domestic Exports
Due to the nature of the product, and little research done little promotion,
yacon has not been exported in large quantities. Studies are underway
today are preliminary and conducted in animals, bearing, in some cases,
different results in humans. For example, in the case of using sheets yacon
for the treatment of diabetes, this is taking place in some countries, and evidence
rodents have shown yacon leaves reduce the level of blood glucose.
However, a much more detailed and lengthy process needed for experimental
to evaluate fully the pharmacological action of the extracts in humans.
In the table below you can see the yacon and exports its products
derivatives from 2001 to 2003 sorted by year and country.
Page 11
10
Table 3
Yacon Major Exporting Companies and Derivatives
Year
Country
Company
Game
Product
Amount
Kg
2001
Germany
Agribusiness Consulting & Management
Peru SAC
Yacon Juice 1302190090
2826.0
2001
Germany
Agribusiness Consulting & Management
Peru SAC
2106909090 Flakes Yacón
407.0
2001
Germany
Gen Peru SA
Yacon Juice 1302190090
2826.0
2001
Germany
Gen Peru SA
Yacon Honey 1702909000
1.0
2001
Germany
Gen Peru SA
Dehydrated flakes Yacón 2106909090
194.0
2001
U.S.
Agribusiness Consulting & Management
Peru SAC
Honey yacon 1702909000
1.3
2001
Japan
Dehydrated Tropical SAC
1211909090 yacon powder (flakes)
25.0
2002
Germany
Agribusiness Consulting & Management
Peru SAC
0714909003 yacon (organic product)
350.0
2002
Germany
Cabex SA
0714909002 yacón sliced deshidatrado
15.0
2002
Belgium
Sol Produce SA
0714909001 yacon samples, frozen
0.8
2002
U.S.
Floris Agro SAC
1211909090 yacon leaves (medicinal plants)
22.0
2002
U.S.
Cabex SA
1211909090 micropulverized yacon leaves
475.0
2002
Japan
Bishop Andina SAC
Yerba mate yacon 903000000
8454.0
2002
Japan
Cabex SA
1106309090 yacon powder
488.0
2002
Japan
Dehydrated Tropical SAC
1211909090 yacon powder
40.0
2002
Japan
Dehydrated Tropical SAC
1211909090 yacon powder dehydrated
100.0
2002
Japan
Dehydrated Tropical SAC
1211909090 yacon roots slices
630.0
2002
Japan
Dehydrated Tropical SAC
Dried leaves of yacon 1211909090
3,500.0
2002
Japan
Dehydrated Tropical SAC
1211909090 micropulverized yacon leaves
4230.0
2002
Japan
Agroindustrial Enterprise of Peru
Dried leaves of yacon 1211909090
2,590.0
2002
Japan
Hiro Eximport SRL
1211909090 yacon
0.2
2002
Japan
Jetro Japan External Tradeorganization 1211909090 yacon leaves Bags
14.6
2002
Japan
Naturandina of Peru SAC
0714909004 yacon filter samples
0.5
2002
Switzerland
SAC Nutrinka
0714909000 yacon lyophilized powder
0.5
2003
Germany
Agribusiness Consulting & Management
Peru SAC
Bio-0714909007 yacon (root slices)
750.0
2003
Germany
Cabex SA
1211909090 micropulverized yacon leaves
100.0
2003
Germany
SAC Ecoandino
0714909006 sliced yacon samples
0.5
2003
Germany
SAC Ecoandino
Honey 1702909000 yacon (sample)
0.5
2003
Germany
SAC Peruvian Heritage
1211909090 micropulverized yacon leaves
161.5
2003
Canada
Pebani Inversiones SA
1211909090 fiber yacon leaves
10.0
2003
U.S.
Floris Agro SAC
You yacon 1211909090
12.0
2003
U.S.
Cabex SA
1211909090 yacon leaves powder
5.0
2003
U.S.
Cabex SA
1211909090 yacon leaves for filter
4.0
2003
U.S.
Mg Investments SRL
Honey yacon 1702909000
0.5
2003
U.S.
Tomas Silva Cubas
You filter yacon 1211909090
38.5
2003
France
Serina Rivera Juan Jose
1702909000 Vial yacon syrup
0.1
2003
France
Serina Rivera Juan Jose
Honey yacon 1702909000
7.8
2003
Japan
SAC Aromatic Herbs
0714909008 yacon flakes
20.0
2003
Japan
Koken del Peru SRL
1211909090 dried yacon leaves
55.0
2003
Japan
Naturandina of Peru SAC
Samples 0714909005 300mg capsules yacon
0.5
28356.6
TOTAL EXPORT 2001 - 2003
Source: Customs.
Prepared Own.
As seen in the table, exports over three years are so
only 28356.6 Kg Such data suggest that yacon is a product that is just giving
know their qualities and lack even discover what your true business potential
in the international market.
Page 12
11
The main target markets yacon for the last three years were:
Japan (71%), Germany (27%) and U.S. (2%).
5
Determination of Potential Markets
The marketing possibilities are many and yacon promising, provided
when it comes to not exaggerate the virtues of the product and completed the
investigations are currently underway. Among various products
yacon derivatives may be mentioned:
•
Raisins Yacon: From pleasant sweet taste and can be consumed directly or
used in baking.
•
Yacon Flakes: Can be oriented consumer market
appetizers or snacks. They have a nice flavor, similar to an apple
dehydrated.
•
Yacon Syrup: It can be a low-calorie substitute for other sweeteners
Similar, with the advantage of a nutraceutical product with properties
2
. Between
the various uses and applications of yacon syrup, mention may use
potential in the following industries: juices, yogurts, dairy, bakery, formulas
infant cereals, biscuits, confectionery, cakes and desserts.
•
Yacon Tea: It was invented in Japan. Infusion consumption is recommended for
treatment of diabetes, although there is no scientific evidence of its effect
in humans.
No it has information for all markets, but will deepen the
yacon syrup to the yogurt industry, because it currently produces a
most products with FOS by the symbiotic effect
3
generated between both.
To study the potential of the product in the international market, analyzed the U.S. and
the European Union, since these are the two largest markets in yoghurt production
prebiotics. For the investigation of these markets as variables were used:
access, size, potential for yacon syrup and existing competition
