Peruvian customs statistics show the country's cocoa bean sales were 40.5% higher in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period last year, website Agraria.pe reported.

The exports had a total value of US$6.2 million with the U.S. purchasing one third of shipments, followed by the Netherlands (28%), Belgium (21%), Italy (9.6%) and Canada (2.6%).

Shipment figures did not grow as rapidly as sales, with a growth rate of 26.3% compared to the same period in 2010 and total volumes of 1,700 metric tons (MT), Agraria reported.

Company Sumaqao SAC accounted for one quarter of the shipments, followed by Cooperativa Agraria Industrial Naranjillo (16%), Cooperativa Agraria Cacaotera Acopagro (15%) and Amazonas Trading Peru SAC (9.7%), the story reported.

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Photo: Buy-Spices

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com