Peruvian blueberry exports increased 148.2 per cent in 2016 to US$241m compared with US$97m the previous year.
During the past year blueberries have risen from 21st to fifth in Peru’s table of non-traditional exports, and the third biggest fruit export, according to the Association of Agrarian Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP).
Avocados also experienced significant export growth, rising 29.5 per cent from US$306m in 2015 to US$397m in 2016, while citrus and banana exports climbed by 20 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.
Overall, fresh fruit exports were up 13.2 per cent, the main markets being Europe (US$842m), the US (US$690m) and Asia (US$220m).
Fresh vegetable exports increased by 4.4 per cent, with asparagus taking top spot (US$420m), followed by onions (US$70m).
The agricultural sector is Peru’s second largest export sector. In 2016 it grew by 8.7 per cent reaching US$5.402bn.
