Peru: Agricultural exports fell 2.6% between January and October
Between January and October of this year, Peru's agricultural exports reached US$7.503 billion, showing a 2.6% decrease compared to the US$7.703599 billion of the previous year, according to the Association of Exporters (ADEX). ADEX's Agro-exports Manager, Claudia Solano Oré, noted that the 2.6% contraction between January and October was less than that recorded in the January-September period (-5.9%), attributing this to the start of the table grape export season in October.
The decline in agricultural exports is attributed to the impact of El Niño, political crises, and the lack of a legal framework to promote economic activity. Solano emphasized: "We hope that the trend will improve in November and December, and that this will lead to the continued creation of more decentralized jobs."
ADEX Data Trade reported that traditional agricultural exports decreased by 38.9%, reaching US$667,367,000, compared to the same period last year. Coffee led the way, accounting for 85.5% of the total at US$570,629,000, followed by refined sugars and cane molasses. The main destinations included the United States, Germany, Belgium, Ecuador, and Canada, among others.
Exports with added value increased by 3.4%, reaching US$6.835 billion, with six months of positive growth and four negative. October registered the largest increase at 24%.
In fresh fruit, blueberries (US$1.01 billion), avocados (US$958 million), and grapes (US$899 million) lead the market. Although blueberries fell 0.8%, grapes rose 30.3%. Fresh asparagus increased 7.2%, while cocoa beans rose 36.8%, and Wilkins mandarins fell 3.6%.
The United States was the main destination for Peruvian agricultural exports, followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Chile, Ecuador, and China. ADEX expects the situation to improve in the coming months, stimulating job creation and economic growth.
