Peruvian produce in high demand

The value of Peru’s fruit exports reached US$3.204bn in 2018, a 29.6 per cent increase on the previous year, according to figures from exporter association Adex. Vegetable exports registered a 1.6 per cent increase, totalling US$1.119bn.

Adex said strengthening global demand for healthy foodstuffs was behind the rise in shipments.

Fruits accounted for 54 per cent of Peru’s non-traditional agri-exports last year. Grapes led the charge with US$818m, followed by avocados (US$724m), blueberries (US$553m) and mangoes (US$257m).

Vegetables made up 19 per cent on non-traditional agri-exports, the main products being fresh asparagus, followed by processed artichoke and processed asparagus.

Peruvian fruits reached 91 markets last year, with the US, Netherlands, Spain, UK, South Korea, China Hong Kong, Canada, Chile, Germany, Russia and Japan among the principle markets.

Adex noted that Spain, South Korea and Chile had improved their rankings last year, climbing to 4^th, 5^th and 9^th positions compared to 7^th, 11^th and 12^th position in 2017.