Peru’s fresh and processed fruit shipments are reported to have climbed 41 per cent through the first half of the year.

New statistics released by the Peruvian Exporters' Association (Adex) have revealed that the country enjoyed a considerable year-on-year improvement in fresh and processed fruit exports through the first six months of the year.

According to the association, Peru's exports came to $293.3m during the first half of the year, up by 41 per cent, or $85m, on the same period in 2009.

The most popular export products were led by grapes, which grew by 75 per cent year-on-year to $61.9m, followed by mangoes (up 64 per cent to $61.7m), avocados (up 15 per cent to $52.6m, €41m) and Cavendish bananas (up 0.2 per cent to $26.6m).

Major export destinations for Peru's fruit products included the Netherlands, which accounted for 33 per cent of total sales, the US with 24 per cent ($69.6m) of shipments, Spain with eight per cent and the UK with six per cent, among others.