bananas

Fresh banana exports from Peru have enjoyed considerable growth over the past 12 months, according to new statistics published by alert@economica.

Total fresh banana exports jumped 24 per cent in 2011 when compared with the previous year, up to US$69.2m in value, boosted by a 28.1 per cent increase in Cavendish Valery sales.

Demand in the Netherlands helped push sales, with a value rise of 36.3 per cent on 2010, while there were also growing markets in the US (up 14.8 per cent) and Japan (up 13.7 per cent).

Similarly, these countries led the way in total imports as well as growth, with the Netherlands receiving 56.6 per cent of Peru's exported banana value, followed by the US (20.8 per cent) and Japan (8.2 per cent).

However, adverse weather conditions and ongoing economic turbulence in major importing nations are expected to dampen growth this year.