Exports of non-traditional agricultural items from Peru rose by 11 per cent in value terms to US$1.9bn during the January to August period of 2012, but the overall growth rate was down on results from previous years, according to data from the Peruvian Exporters Association (Adex).
Adex’s agroexport manager Laura Sánchez-Piérola Vega explained that the weaker performance was not because of weaker demand but rather a lack of offer for some products whose seasons were affected by the weather.
Among the leading export items in the category, fresh or refrigerated asparagus retained its position as the biggest seller, Adex reported in a press release.
Sales were up by 16 per cent during the first eight months to US$185.7m thanks to the product’s profitability and interesting market options for Peruvian asparagus.
Fresh or dried avocados also increased, albeit marginally by 0.1 per cent to US$142.9m given that the fruit is still not widely known on the US market.
“Prices in the US fell due to high local production and the considerbable offer coming from Mexico,” explained Sánchez-Piérola Vega.
“Peruvian avocados, meanwhile, are still new in the US market and as the consolidate a position prices will recover.”
During the period, Adex said that Peruvian fresh table grapes totalled US$118m while fresh or dried mangoes hit US$94m.
Fresh banana and plantain sendings recorded US$53m in sales between January and August, the organisation added.
Peru’s non-traditional exports reached a total of 154 markets around the world during the first eight months of this year.
The US maintained its position as the leading export destination after recording a 17 per cent increase in arrivals worth US$512.6m, Adex explained.
The Netherlands ranked second with US$225.2m-worth of business, up 0.5 per cent on the year-earlier period.
Spain ranked third with an import total of US$162.2m following 16 per cent decline in arrivals, due largely to the economic crisis in the country.
Ecuador and the UK occupied fourth and fifth place with demand increases of 40 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, according to Adex.
The leading Peruvian exporters of non-traditional products this year were: Alicorp, Camposol, Gloria, Danper Trujillo, Beta, CPF, Sociedad Agrícola Virú and Gandules, among others.
