What is Agrícola Cerro Prieto S.A.?

Agrícola Cerro Prieto S.A. (ACP) operates as a fruit and vegetable agro-export company in Peru, specializing in the production, packaging, and export of avocados, blueberries, asparagus, and table grapes. According to company materials and business records, ACP farms approximately 4,500 hectares of agricultural land in northern Peru, developed through a private irrigation system. The company's operations center in the Districts of Pacanga and Lagunas de Mocupe in La Libertad Department, with export distribution to markets across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Company materials indicate ACP operates through a corporate group structure that includes Agrícola Cerro Prieto (primary operations in Chiclayo, northern Peru), Qali Fruits S.A.C. (blueberry production in central Peru north of Lima), Irrigadora Cerro Prieto S.A.C. (water infrastructure management), and Cerro Prieto Colombia S.A.S. (avocado cultivation in Colombia's coffee-growing region). According to 2021 IDB Invest documentation, the company secured a US$160 million financing package to expand operations and refinance existing debt, indicating substantial scale and institutional backing.

The company's agricultural model relies on a privately developed irrigation infrastructure drawing water from the Gallito Ciego reservoir through a 27-kilometer distribution canal, addressing the water scarcity challenges typical of Peru's coastal desert regions. This infrastructure investment positions ACP to maintain year-round production in an otherwise arid climate.

Corporate Foundation

Agrícola Cerro Prieto S.A. was established in 2000 as a Peruvian sociedad anónima (stock corporation). According to multiple business sources, the company initiated commercial agricultural operations in 2008 after completing its irrigation infrastructure development. ACP operates as a privately held company with headquarters registered at Dean Valdivia 111, Int. 601, San Isidro, Lima, Peru.

The company's principal shareholder is Corporación Financiera de Inversiones S.A. (CFI), a Peruvian holding company with documented investments in agriculture, energy, and real estate sectors. According to 2021 financial disclosures, the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS), a pension fund for municipalities in Michigan, United States, holds the second-largest ownership stake. This institutional investor participation suggests the company has undergone structured equity investment processes. Business records from 2015 document that Latam Peru Fund and Latam Growth Fund previously held minority stakes that were subsequently divested.

Percy Muente Kunigami serves as CEO and General Manager of the Cerro Prieto Group according to company announcements and professional networking profiles. The company's operational management includes specialized teams for agronomy, commercial operations, quality control, and export logistics. As of various 2024-2025 business databases, workforce estimates range from approximately 870 to 880 permanent employees, though agricultural operations typically involve additional seasonal labor during harvest campaigns.

Production Infrastructure

Primary Operations - Northern Peru

ACP's main production facilities are located in the Districts of Pacanga and Lagunas de Mocupe, Province of Chepén, La Libertad Department, accessed via Panamericana Norte Km 733. Company materials describe operating approximately 4,500 hectares of developed agricultural land, with documented planted areas varying between 3,628 and 3,778 hectares depending on the reporting source and year. The discrepancy between total developed land and planted area reflects crop rotation, land preparation, and operational staging practices common in large-scale agriculture.

The irrigation infrastructure represents a defining operational characteristic. According to company disclosures and environmental documentation, ACP developed a private irrigation system supplied by a 27-kilometer canal (Cerro Prieto Irrigation Canal) that draws water from the Talambo-Zaña distribution channel, which in turn receives water from the Gallito Ciego reservoir. The National Water Authority (ANA) issued water use licenses permitting ACP to draw up to 50,325,916 cubic meters annually for agricultural and packing plant operations. The company employs gravitational flow irrigation methods, reducing pumping energy requirements.

ACP operates modern packing facilities at its northern Peru location equipped with sorting, grading, cooling, and packaging systems. According to a 2020 company statement, the avocado packing line processes up to 60 tonnes per hour using TOMRA Spectrim optical sorting technology, representing a substantial increase from the original 32-40 tonne per hour capacity. These systems enable quality control, size calibration, and food safety compliance required for export markets.

Qali Fruits Operations - Central Peru

The subsidiary Qali Fruits S.A.C. operates blueberry production facilities in the Santa Rosa irrigation area north of Lima Department. Company materials indicate approximately 160 hectares dedicated to blueberry cultivation using container (pot) growing systems. This production method allows for precise control of soil conditions, water delivery, and plant spacing. The facility includes harvesting, cooling, and initial processing capabilities to maintain fruit quality post-harvest.

Colombia Operations

Company announcements from 2019-2020 document that Cerro Prieto Colombia S.A.S. was established to expand avocado production outside Peru. The operation is located in Colombia's coffee-growing region (eje cafetero), focused on Hass avocado cultivation. According to IDB Invest project documentation from 2021, the financing package included provisions for expansion investments in Colombia, though specific hectare totals and production volumes for the Colombian operation are not consistently documented in available public sources.

Irrigation Infrastructure Management

Irrigadora Cerro Prieto S.A.C. functions as a specialized subsidiary managing water infrastructure, distribution systems, and stakeholder relations related to water resources. This organizational structure separates water management operations from crop production activities, enabling focused expertise in hydraulic infrastructure maintenance and regulatory compliance with Peru's National Water Authority.

Product Portfolio

Avocados

ACP produces multiple avocado varieties for export markets. According to company materials and industry publications, production includes Hass (primary variety for export), Ettinger, and Zutano varieties. Documentation from 2020 indicated approximately 1,600 hectares planted with over 800,000 avocado trees across the primary operations. Historical production data shows yield progression from 3 tonnes per hectare in 2012 to 25 tonnes per hectare by 2014 as plantings matured, though current yields would reflect the maturity stage of different plantation areas.

Export volumes documented in industry publications show progression from approximately 7,000 tonnes in 2013, 14,000 tonnes in 2014, 16,300 tonnes in 2014, 32,000 tonnes in 2019, to a planned 35,000 tonnes in 2020. These historical figures demonstrate production scaling as planted areas matured. The company's 2020 avocado harvest averaged 242 grams per fruit according to management statements, with over 70% meeting European market calibers 14, 16, and 18. Avocados are exported fresh, with quality specifications and packaging tailored to destination market requirements.

Blueberries

Company materials identify organic blueberry production as a core product line. The Qali Fruits facility in central Peru employs container cultivation methods across documented areas of 150-160 hectares. Container production allows for substrate control and precise irrigation management. According to available information, blueberries are produced for fresh export markets with organic certification. The company's social media and marketing materials emphasize organic production methods for this crop category.

Asparagus

Green asparagus production represents part of ACP's historical product mix. Company LinkedIn profiles and older documentation reference asparagus as one of the company's agricultural products, though recent public materials focus more heavily on avocados and blueberries. Asparagus production would typically involve year-round or extended-season harvesting given Peru's climate advantages, with products exported fresh or potentially processed depending on market requirements.

Table Grapes

Table grape production appears in some company descriptions and historical business records, though specific varieties, hectare allocations, and current production status are not consistently detailed in recent public materials. Peru's table grape industry primarily produces seedless varieties for fresh export markets during the Southern Hemisphere's counter-seasonal window.

Certifications & Quality Standards

Certification Disclaimer: The following certifications are referenced in company materials and certification databases. AgriLinkage has not independently verified current validity, scope, or compliance status. Certification standing can change based on audit outcomes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation directly from the supplier and verify validity with issuing bodies.

Food Safety & Quality Certifications

BASC (Business Alliance for Secure Commerce): Company social media announcements from 2024 documented recertification with zero findings. BASC certification addresses security standards throughout the supply chain for export operations, focusing on preventing illicit activities and ensuring cargo integrity. The certification is issued by the World BASC Organization and requires compliance with security protocols for facilities, personnel, and transportation.

Organic Certifications

Company materials consistently reference "Arándanos Orgánicos" (organic blueberries) as a product designation. Organic certification for Peruvian agricultural exports typically involves compliance with one or more of the following regulatory frameworks:

• USDA Organic (United States): Required for products marketed as organic in the U.S. market

• EU Organic Regulation: Required for organic designation in European Union markets

• JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards): For organic certification in Japanese markets

The specific certification bodies and scope (which facilities, products, and hectares are certified organic) are not detailed in readily available public materials. Buyers requiring organic certification should request current organic certificates specifying certifying body, scope, and validity period.

Agricultural Practice Certifications

Based on Peru's export agriculture sector standards and the company's export markets, ACP likely maintains certifications common to fruit and vegetable exporters, though these are not explicitly confirmed in reviewed materials:

GLOBALG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices): An internationally recognized pre-farm-gate standard covering food safety, traceability, environmental protection, and worker welfare. Control Union Certifications operates accredited certification services in Peru for GLOBALG.A.P. standards. The certification is widely required by European retailers and international buyers.

FSMA Compliance: For exports to the United States, compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule may be required or implemented through GLOBALG.A.P. add-on modules.

Company materials do not provide detailed certification listings with validity dates and scope specifications. Potential buyers should request a complete certification portfolio directly from ACP's commercial team.

Markets & Distribution

Geographic Export Markets

ACP exports to markets across multiple continents according to company materials and U.S. customs import records. Documented destination regions include:

Europe: Described as a primary market destination in multiple industry publications, particularly for avocados where European caliber specifications (sizes 14, 16, 18) align with ACP's production profile.

North America: U.S. customs records document shipments to major retailers including Walmart and H.E.B. Grocery, as well as specialized importers such as Naturipe Farms, West Pak Avocado, and Arc Eurobanan. The United States represents a significant market for both avocados and blueberries.

Latin America: Company statements reference distribution within Latin American markets, with specific mention of Chile as a targeted market for avocado exports.

Asia and Africa: Company materials describe export reach to Asian and African markets, though specific countries and volumes are not detailed in available sources.

Market Position

According to 2021 Peruvian industry data referenced in IDB Invest documentation, ACP ranked as Peru's fourth-largest avocado exporter with approximately 7% market share, and seventh-largest blueberry exporter with approximately 5% market share. These rankings reflect the company's position within Peru's substantial fruit export industry.

Distribution Channels

U.S. import records indicate ACP supplies major retail chains directly or through specialized import distributors. The company operates its own packing and export logistics capabilities, maintaining quality control from field to port. Company materials reference offices in Lima for commercial coordination, with production and packing facilities located at the farming operations.

Sustainability Initiatives

Disclaimer: The following represents publicly stated initiatives documented in company materials. Independent verification of implementation would require third-party assessment.

Water Management

Given operations in Peru's coastal desert region, water efficiency represents both an operational necessity and documented sustainability focus. Company materials describe the private irrigation infrastructure drawing from Gallito Ciego reservoir as a strategic water security investment. Social media content from the company emphasizes water conservation practices and ecosystem protection messaging tied to World Water Day observances.

According to a 2020 partnership announcement, ACP engaged Heliae Development LLC (U.S.-based agricultural technology company) to address soil water retention challenges. The collaboration focused on microbiome optimization to reduce water percolation in the farm's sandy soils, potentially increasing water use efficiency and expanding productive land area. Implementation status and outcomes of this initiative are not detailed in subsequent public materials.

Climate and Soil Health

The 2021 IDB Invest financing documentation characterized the loan as a "green loan" with sustainability-linked key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to climate change mitigation and carbon footprint reduction. According to IDB Invest statements, advisory services were to be provided for climate-smart agriculture practices, climate resilience, and resource efficiency improvements. Specific KPI targets and performance metrics are not disclosed in public project summaries.

IDB Invest documentation referenced plans for climate impact assessments and cumulative environmental impact evaluations as part of the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), though detailed results are not available in public domains.

Social Programs

Company social media and recruitment materials emphasize workforce development and community engagement programs:

CEBA Cerro Prieto: An adult education program enabling workers and their families to complete primary and secondary education. Company announcements describe this as an ongoing benefit for employee development and community education access.

Training and Skills Development: Materials reference regular training sessions covering technical skills, soft skills, and safety protocols, with partnerships documented with local universities including Universidad César Vallejo and Universidad Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo.

Health Initiatives: Social media content documents vaccination campaigns and health awareness programs conducted in collaboration with local health authorities.

These programs align with corporate social responsibility practices common in Peru's agricultural export sector, where workforce stability and community relations impact operational continuity.

Technology & Equipment

ACP has invested in modern agricultural and post-harvest technologies according to available documentation:

Optical Sorting Technology: The company installed TOMRA Spectrim systems for avocado sorting and grading, increasing packing line throughput from 32-40 tonnes per hour to 60 tonnes per hour according to TOMRA and company materials. These systems use optical sensors to assess fruit quality, size, and defects, enabling precise sorting and quality assurance.

Container Production Systems: The Qali Fruits blueberry operation employs pot-based cultivation systems allowing controlled growing conditions. This methodology is commonly used in blueberry production to optimize substrate composition, drainage, and root zone management.

Irrigation Technology: The gravitational irrigation system drawing from the private canal infrastructure reduces energy consumption compared to pumped systems. Company materials reference technified irrigation methods, suggesting drip irrigation or similar precision water delivery systems are employed.

Regulatory & Financial Context

Environmental and Social Framework

As a recipient of IDB Invest financing, ACP operates under environmental and social requirements established in the project's Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS). The project received a Category B classification, indicating potential environmental and social impacts that are site-limited, largely reversible, and mitigable through readily available measures.

The Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) documented in 2021 project materials included requirements for:

• Cultural Heritage Management Plan (due to proximity to Cerro Colorado 1 archaeological site)

• Agrochemical phase-out plan for certain classes of pesticides

• Integrated Pest/Disease Management Manual

• Good Agricultural Practices Manual

• Water use license compliance for subsidiary operations

• Hazardous materials transportation protocols

Compliance status with these plans would be subject to IDB Invest's ongoing supervision and company self-reporting.

Financing and Investment

The 2021 US$160 million financing package structured by IDB Invest (US$50 million), Interbank Peru (US$60 million), and BBVA Peru (US$50 million) represents one of the largest agricultural sector financings in Peru according to legal advisors involved in the transaction. The financing included:

• US$110 million for operational expansion in Peru and Colombia

• US$50 million for debt refinancing

• An uncommitted US$20 million tranche for Colombian investments in 2022-2023

• 10-year term with 2-year grace period aligned to crop production cycles

The loan is secured by asset guarantees and cross-guarantees among the group companies, documented in legal filings. Sustainable finance provisions link interest rates or other terms to environmental and social KPI achievement, though specific metrics are not publicly disclosed.

Water Rights

ANA (Autoridad Nacional del Agua) issued water use licenses through Directorial Resolution No. 215-2015-ANA-AAA-JZ-V permitting ACP to draw specified volumes from the Talambo-Zaña distribution canal. These licenses are critical regulatory authorizations for operations in Peru's water-regulated environment. License terms typically require monitoring, reporting, and payment of water use fees.

Information Currency and Verification

This company profile reflects publicly available information from company websites (acpagro.com), business registration databases (Dun & Bradstreet, RocketReach), IDB Invest project documentation, industry publications (FreshPlaza, Fresh Fruit Portal, Agropages), customs data (ImportGenius), legal transaction reports (LexLatin, Mergers Alliance), and professional networking platforms (LinkedIn). Time-sensitive data including production volumes, facility counts, hectare totals, certifications, and ownership percentages may change as operations evolve.

Specific data points subject to change include:

• Annual production volumes and export quantities

• Planted hectare allocations by crop

• Certification validity and scope

• Ownership structure and shareholding percentages

• Employee counts (vary seasonally in agricultural operations)

• Colombia operations status and scale

• Water use license volumes and terms

Certification validity and compliance status can change based on audits and operational changes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation from the supplier and verify validity with certification bodies.

Accessing Current Information

Parties interested in current operational details, product availability, certifications, or commercial engagement should contact Agrícola Cerro Prieto S.A. directly through:

Company Website: www.acpagro.com
Lima Office: Dean Valdivia 111, Int. 601, San Isidro, Lima, Peru
Phone: +51 (1) 619 3900
Farm Location: Panamericana Norte Km 733, Pacanga, Chepén, La Libertad, Peru

The company maintains an active LinkedIn presence under "Agricola Cerro Prieto S.A - Página Oficial" where operational updates and company news are periodically posted.

AgriLinkage can facilitate verified buyer-supplier introductions for qualified commercial parties. Potential buyers should be prepared to conduct standard commercial due diligence including:

• Requesting current certification documentation with validity dates

• Verifying production capacity through facility visits or third-party assessment

• Obtaining product samples and specifications

• Reviewing export compliance documentation

• Confirming current product availability and lead times

• Establishing quality control protocols and acceptance criteria

• Negotiating payment terms and delivery conditions appropriate to the transaction scale

Conclusion: Agrícola Cerro Prieto's Position in Peruvian Agro-Export

Agrícola Cerro Prieto S.A. operates as a substantial participant in Peru's fruit and vegetable export sector, with documented infrastructure investments, institutional financing, and market access spanning multiple continents. The company's development of private irrigation infrastructure in Peru's coastal desert region represents a significant capital commitment enabling large-scale production in a water-constrained environment.

For potential buyers, ACP's relevance lies in its combination of documented scale (4,500+ hectare operations), modern post-harvest facilities (60-tonne per hour avocado packing capacity), diversified product portfolio (avocados, blueberries, asparagus, grapes), and established export channels to major markets. The company's institutional investor backing and IDB Invest financing suggest operational sophistication and financial capacity, though these factors do not substitute for buyer-conducted verification of specific capabilities, certifications, and product quality.

The company's position as Peru's fourth-largest avocado exporter and seventh-largest blueberry exporter (as of 2021 data) indicates meaningful market presence while also highlighting the competitive nature of Peru's fruit export industry. Buyers should assess ACP's offerings in context of their specific requirements for volume, seasonality, quality specifications, certifications, and commercial terms.

This profile provides background information to inform initial assessment and due diligence planning. Current operational capabilities, product availability, pricing, certifications, and commercial terms must be verified directly with the company. Serious commercial engagement requires direct contact, facility visits where practical, reference checks with existing buyers, and verification of all material claims through appropriate documentation and independent assessment.

Potential buyers in European, North American, and other markets seeking Peruvian avocados, organic blueberries, or other products within ACP's portfolio should contact the company's commercial team to discuss specific requirements, obtain current certifications, review quality protocols, and negotiate terms appropriate to their sourcing needs.