Peru is emerging as a key player in the global market for fruits and vegetables, with its agricultural exports reaching US$10.545 billion at the end of 2023. This figure is expected to surpass US$11.500 billion by the end of 2024, as per the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri). Despite challenges, the collaborative efforts of agricultural producers, exporters, and the Peruvian state have led to a 2.9% increase in agricultural shipments in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to Cesar Romero, Midagri's Agricultural Foreign Trade Specialist. Over the past 23 years, Peruvian agricultural exports have seen an average annual growth rate of 11.9%.
Key products driving this growth include grapes, blueberries, avocados, asparagus, mangoes, citrus fruits, coffee, cacao, bananas, artichokes, dried paprika, ginger, and quinoa, which collectively represent 74.6% of total agricultural exports. Notably, grapes, blueberries, and avocados have each nearly reached or exceeded US$1 billion in annual performance.
Grapes, for instance, led the agro-exports with 649,000 tons worth US$1.745 billion exported in 2023, marking a 28% increase from 2022. The primary grape production areas for export are Ica, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Ancash, with the United States, the European Union, and Asian countries like Hong Kong and China being the main markets.
Blueberries followed, with US$1.676 billion in exports in 2023, despite a 24.2% decrease in volume from the previous year. The introduction of new plant genetic varieties has enabled Peru to maintain a consistent supply of high-quality blueberries, extending the export season and reaching peak volumes around September and October. Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash, and Ica are the leading blueberry-producing regions, with the United States and the European Union as the primary markets.
Avocados ranked third, with exports totaling US$963 million in 2023, a 7.6% increase from the previous year. The export season for avocados extends almost year-round, thanks to cultivation in both coastal and highland regions of Peru. The European Union, the United States, and other countries like Mexico and Chile are among the top markets for Peruvian avocados.
Additionally, strawberries and ginger are gaining interest in the international market. Despite facing climatic challenges, the diversity of Peru's ecosystems and climates allows for year-round production and geographic flexibility in cultivation, contributing to the resilience and growth of its agricultural exports.
Source: Andina