Demand and challenges for the sustainability of medicinal plant marketing in Cajamarca, Peru

Chávez López J.; Mostacero León J.; Martínez J.L.; De La Cruz Castillo A.J.; Charcape Ravelo J.M.; Gonzales Velásquez C.L.Y.; Gil Rivero A.E.; López Medina S.E.; León Torres C.A.; Castillo Zavala J.L. · Boletin Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromaticas (2026) · DOI: 10.37360/blacpma.26.25.2.23

Resumen

The demand and sustainability challenges of medicinal plant marketing in Cajamarca, Peru, were assessed. Ninety-six semi-structured interviews were conducted, proportionally distributed across 12 districts, along with market observations. One hundred and thirty-one taxa (49 families) were documented. Demand reached 8278 bundles/day and 248340 bundles/month; conversion by species and part was estimated at 70875.9 kg/month (70.88 t), and, with a 15% replacement allowance for losses, 81507.3 kg/month (81.50 t). The volume was concentrated in fruits and seeds (1.00 kg/bundle) and in fresh roots. Musa × paradisiaca (6300 kg/month), Citrus × aurantiifolia (4500 kg/month), Persea americana (3000 kg/month), and Passiflora edulis (2400 kg/month) stood out. It is concluded that the trade flow depends on a few high-volume species and that sustainability requires adopting good cultivation and post-harvest practices, traceability, and, where appropriate, a cold chain, in addition to increased cultivation and local governance.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; Universidad Nacional de Piura