Peru: 64% Increase in frozen asparagus exports

In January 2012, frozen asparagus exports reached USD 3.8 million, equivalent to an annual increase of 64.0%. The destination countries that increased their imports of Peruvian asparagus were USA (93.4%) and Japan (614.0%). Prospects for 2012 are favourable, estimating that frozen asparagus exports will total USD 68.5 million, representing an increase of 39.6%. This growth is based on the increased demand in Japan and to a lesser extent the American one. Despite the favourable external environment, locally there are risks in production due to water shortages, a factor that affects mainly Ica, the first frozen asparagus producing region of the country.

2011 Peruvian frozen asparagus exports grew 56.1%, totalling USD47.1 million. This increase was located above the average annual rate of 15.0%, recorded between 2006 to 2011. It also was the result of higher sales to the U.S. (46.3%), Japan (167.8%) and Italy (71.8%). These three countries are the main destinations for Peru's frozen asparagus, with shares of 49.7%, 17.1% and 8.8% respectively. The ranking of exporting companies was led by IQF from Peru with a share of 52.6%, followed by Agricola La Joya Camposol 8.2%, 7.8%, according to alert@economica.