The Peruvian grape export campaign 2021/2022, which runs from September to March, ended with good results, stated Luis Corvera, CEO of FreshFruit Peru. In this campaign, the county exported 531,069 tons of grapes for 1,373 million dollars, i.e. 13% more volume, and 22% more value than in the previous campaign.
Currently, grapes have consolidated themselves as the main product of the Peruvian agro-export basket, with a 15% share, followed by blueberries with 14%, and avocado with 13%; elevating Peru to the top of the list of grape suppliers with 11% of global participation, surpassing China and Chile.
Campaign dynamics
Despite the higher volumes of grapes produced, the start of the 2021/2022 export campaign was slow. In September 2021, Peru shipped 4,521 tons of grapes for 10 million dollars, a volume and value similar to that of 2020. During this period, Peruvian companies chose to control their shipments to Europe and the United States, so as not to coincide with the closure of campaigns in the northern hemisphere (California, Italy, and Spain). Thus, they avoided negatively impacting market prices during the first months of the season.
Between October and November, Peruvian exports grew by 19% in volume and by 23% in value, reaching 151,601 tons for 393 million dollars. During these months, Peru was able to place more fruit without affecting prices. The Peruvian grape had a good reception because demand from the main destinations increased, due to the economic reactivation, and the main suppliers of the southern hemisphere -Chile, South Africa, and Australia- were unable to meet it.
From December to March (end of the campaign), shipments totaled 374,947 tons for 71 million dollars. Compared to the same period of the 2020/2021 season, exports increased by 11% in volume and 21% in value. Peruvian exporting companies achieved their best benefits in these months, as there was a significant increase in Chinese and US demand (main destinations) that could not be met by Chile (the most important competitor during these months).
Main destinations
The United States was the main destination for Peruvian grapes, accounting for 42% of the total exported with 224,303 tons (+14%) and 597 million dollars (+22%). It was followed by the Netherlands which purchased 79,136 tons of grapes (+6%) for 174 million dollars (+14%), accounting for a 15% share.
China ranked third with 66.977 tons (+23%), 77 million dollars (+25%), and a 13% share.
Source: Redagricola / agraria.pe