Strong growth for coffee, grapes and avocadoes helped Peruvian agricultural exports rise by 23% year-on-year to US$4.18 billion in 2011.

The country's Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG) has released statistics from the Directorate General of Agricultural Competitiveness (DGCA), which show coffee shipments accounted for a third of the total, having jumped by 57% during the year.

Fruit statistics

The Fresh grape category reinforced its claim as the country's biggest fruit export, with shipment values increasing by 21% to US$216.9 million.

Meanwhile, avocado export values overtook mangoes in second place in fruits with growth of 94% to US$164.3 million, which MINAG attributes to production falls in the U.S. and Mexico and the subsequent rise in international prices.

Despite a delayed season start at the end of 2011, mango exports still rose by 20% to US$141.9 million, followed by cocoa exports which grew by 31% to US$102 million due to an increase in planted areas and international price rises.

Bananas exports also picked up, with 21% growth to US$59.9 million, mandarin exports grew by 15% to US$40.4 million, and tangelo shipments jumped by 24% to US$19.6 million.

The only main fruit product that didn't register export growth last year was maracuya (passionfruit) juice, which fell by 15% to US$24.6 million.

Vegetable exports stagnant

Peru's vegetable exports grew by 0.2% to US$695 in 2011, but the country's leading horticultural good asparagus showed slight growth of 1% to US$432.95 million.

Artichokes rose by 6% to US$102.2 million and piquillo pepper shipment values jumped by 12% to US$56.2 million, but the vegetable category was held back by export value falls for conserved vegetables (-10%), fresh onions (-4%) and conserved olives (-32%).

Peru's coloring industry grew its exports by 27% to US$193.9 million in 2011.

Destination markets

The MINAG release said the European Union was the leading export destination with 44% of the total, followed by the U.S. with 26%.

The Community of Andean Nations (CAN) imported 9% of Peru's agricultural shipments, while Mexico, the Mercosur trading bloc, Chile and Canada each accounted for a 2% share.

Related story: The promise and priorities of Peruvian horticulture

Photo: Andina

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