onions

Peruvian onion exports rose by 60 per cent in value to US$4.1m during the first two months of the year with volume hitting some 17,200 tonnes, according to a report by Agraria.pe.

The growth was driven by an increase in demand in Colombia, which maintained its position as the leading export market, absorbing 47.9 per cent of exports.

The US – the second-largest market – also recorded a positive performance, according to the news agency, receiving 24.5 per cent of the volume (worth US$1m), followed by Spain with 12.4 per cent (worth US$513,000).

Japan also reportedly saw an increase in sales, with a participation of 8.1 per cent. Panama, meanwhile, accounted for 4 per cent of the sendings.

Export volume comprised both fresh and dried onions, Agraria.pe said, with the fresh category representing the largest proportion of exports.