More favourable climatic conditions and opening of new megaport of Chancay augur well for sector
The new year is shaping up to be one of moderate growth for Peruvian agricultural exports, according to consultancy Fresh Fruit Peru. It predicts a growth rate of 2 per cent “in a conservative scenario” for 2025, with blueberries spearheading this growth and products such as cocoa and coffee in decline.
On the production side, a mild coastal La Niña is expected to bring more favourable conditions to coastal regions, while the areas affected by Cyclone Yaku in 2023 are now back to normal.
The recent opening of the megaport of Chancay also offers huge potential for exports to China and Asia. Located 80km to the north of Lima, Chancay, is the largest deepwater port on the western coast of South America and will cut transit times between the two continents by half, benefiting not only Peru, but exporters in across the entire region.
However, a question mark hangs over the US, Peru’s biggest market for grapes, blueberries and asparagus, amongst other products, due possible changes that the incoming Trump administration could introduce to trade.
The water crisis in Piura also remains a critical concern, especially in the production of mangoes, limes and bananas.
“Another factor that could have a negative impact is international inflation, which has the potential to slow global demand for Peruvian products. Rising production costs, coupled with falling purchasing power in key markets, could reduce exports and put the sector in trouble,” Fresh Fruit Peru said.
Despite the opening of the port of Chancay, the consultancy also noted that the lack of modern infrastructure remains a crucial limitation for the industry, with congestion at these points continuing to raise logistics costs.
“The port of Chancay seems to be a great advance, but only time will tell if it is sufficient for what the sector demands. In addition, irrigation infrastructure is still deficient in most regions of the country, which will lead to continued inefficient use of water for many years to come,” it said.
Finally, the consultancy flagged the ongoing lack of business intelligence as another factor limiting export growth. It warned that if the sector does not adapt quickly to international market trends and does not make strategic decisions based on data and analysis, it could lose ground to more agile competitors.
“The challenges of 2025 will require greater strategy and adaptability, especially in the face of high competitiveness in global markets and fluctuations in agricultural product prices,” Fresh Fruit Peru said. “However, Peru will continue to consolidate itself as a relevant player in the high-quality agricultural export supply, with important opportunities derived from the opening of new markets and improvements in infrastructure, such as the Chancay megaport.”
