Shipments between January and September totalled 20,338 tonnes shipped for a value of US$34m
Peru saw a big jump in strawberry exports this year. According to consultancy Fresh Fruit Peru, the country shipped 20,338 tonnes worth US$34m between January and September 2023, an increase in 43 per cent in volume and 26 per cent in value compared to the year-earlier period.
The hike was in spite of losses to planted area resulting from the Yacu cyclone and El Niño, the consultancy said.
The US was once again the leading market, taking 7,489 tonnes worth US$12m. This was a similar volume to last year. However, there was a big rise in shipments Canada – the second biggest market – which took 5,878 tonnes of strawberries worth US$9m, an increase of 43 per cent in volume and 26 per cent in value.
This year has also seen new markets open up. Guatemala, which didn’t take any Peruvian strawberries in 2022, absorbed 3,411 tonnes worth US$6m, making it Peru’s third biggest market in 2023.
Australia and Belgium, meanwhile, purchased 37 tonnes and 32 tonnes worth US$600,000 and US$500,000 respectively.
According to Agraria.pe, Peru has approximately 3,800ha of strawberry plantings in 2022/23, of which 75 per cent are located in the Norte Chico area and the rest in various valleys of the Peruvian highlands.
