Peru is emerging as a key player in the global market for fruits and vegetables, with its agricultural exports totaling US$10.545 billion by the end of 2023. Projections from the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) suggest this figure will surpass US$11.500 billion by the end of 2024.
According to Cesar Romero, Midagri's Agricultural Foreign Trade Specialist, "Despite the unfavorable context, the excellent work of agricultural producers and exporters, joined by the (Peruvian) State, allowed for reversing this adversity and making possible for agricultural shipments in 2023 to exceed by 2.9% those reported a year earlier." Over the past 23 years, the growth rate of Peruvian agricultural exports has averaged 11.9% annually.
Romero identified 20 key products that represent 74.6% of total agricultural exports, including grapes, blueberries, avocados, asparagus, mangoes, citrus fruits, coffee, cacao, bananas, artichokes, dried paprika, ginger (kion), and quinoa. Notably, grapes, blueberries, and avocados are the top three Peruvian agro-exported products, each nearing or exceeding US$1 billion in annual performance.
Grapes led the 2023 agro-exports with 649,000 tons worth US$1.745 billion, marking a 28% increase from 2022. The grape export season, primarily concentrated in regions like Ica, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Ancash, peaks between December and January. The United States, the European Union, and Asian markets, particularly Hong Kong and China, are the primary destinations for Peruvian grapes.
Blueberries followed with a 23% growth from the previous year, totaling US$1.676 billion in exports. Despite a 24.2% decrease in volume to 207,000 tons in 2023, the reduced supply elevated international market prices. The expansion of the blueberry export season and the introduction of new plant varieties have allowed Peru to maintain a consistent, high-quality supply. The United States and the European Union are the main markets for Peruvian blueberries.
Avocado exports reached US$963 million in 2023, a 7.6% increase over the previous year, with a volume of 599,000 tons. The export season spans almost the entire year, thanks to cultivation in both coastal and highland regions. The European Union, the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Asian countries are the largest markets for Peruvian avocados.
Other notable Peruvian agricultural exports include coffee, cacao, mangoes, asparagus, paprika, citrus fruits, organic bananas, and quinoa. Romero emphasized the resilience of Peruvian agricultural exports in 2023, despite challenges such as climate issues. He also noted Peru's advantage of diverse ecosystems and 38 different climates, facilitating year-round production and geographic mobility to optimize cultivation.
Source: Andina