The Association of Agricultural Producers' Guilds of Peru (AGAP) reported that during the first quarter of this year the agricultural sector had recorded a growth of 23.9%, as it achieved shipments of US $ 1.424 billion, compared to the US $1.149 billion achieved in the same quarter of 2017, and that it continued to be the second export sector in the country.
This increase was mainly driven by the fresh fruit and vegetables (F & H) subsector, which increased by 38.1%, i.e. US $772 million.
The products that stood out within the group of fresh fruits (+45%) were the grapes, with shipments for US $314.8 million (+30%), mango with US $177 million (+38%), avocado with US $49.6 million (+136%), blueberry with US $47.7 million (+234%), and pomegranate with US $25.9 million (+31%).
Meanwhile, the products that stood out within the fresh vegetables sector were the asparagus with shipments for US $62.8 million, and onions with US $14.5 million (+50%).
Exports of organic bananas amounted to US $49 million, a similar amount as last year, coffee exports increased by 5% when compared to the same period of the previous year, as they went from US $ 72 million to US $76 million, and cocoa beans exports increased by 28%, going from US $23 million last year to US $29 million this year.
The main destination continents were Europe with US $ 322 million, i.e. 45% more than the same period of the previous year; North America with US $294 million (+47%), Asia with US $115 million (+11%), Central America with US $19 million (+67%) and South America with US $17 million (+23%).
The main destination countries were the United States with US $283 million (+46%), the Netherlands with US $ 202 million (+48%), Spain with US $ 46 million (74%), and Hong Kong and the United Kingdom with US $39 million and US $33 million respectively.
The regions that exported the most fruits and vegetables in Peru were Ica with US $270 million, Piura with US $221 million, Lima with US $72 million, La Libertad with US $69 million, Ancash with US. $62 million, Lambayeque with US $30 million, and Arequipa with US $24 million.
Source: gestion.pe