The dollar value of Peru’s agricultural exports of fresh table grapes, blueberries and mango together with unroasted or decaffeinated coffee suffered a -47% decrease worth $190.6 million. This is the effects of the demonstrations that have afflicted Peru, since the end of last year, but with a fresh round that saw farms, pack houses etc. close for over a week during January this year.
The Peru country pavilion at Fruit Logistica Berlin 2023
“The protests in our country since the end of last year have had a strong impact on our agro-exports, mainly due to road blockades. During weeks three and four, traditional and non-traditional agro-exports totalled a FOB value of $217.6 million, suffering a contraction of -47% compared to the same period of the previous year, in which $408.2 million was exported,” states David Sandoval, from the data analytics company Fluctuante in Peru.
The Peruvian President Dina Boluarte called for a multiparty dialogue to help end the political crises. This comes as the Congress refused to bring forward elections that the protestors are demanding.
Peruvian companies who had a presence at Fruit Logistica in Berlin at the PromPeru country pavilion commented the first thing they had to do in meetings was to answer many questions from buyers in Europe about the situation at home and the impact on fresh produce exports. Producers and exporters from Peru said they assured buyers they are doing everything possible to ensure the products flow, while looking after the safety of workers. They reaffirmed the position of the Association of Agrarian Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP) that employees are keen to continue working, while calling for peace and dialogue instead of violence and disruptions.
Some relayed their experience from last month’s violent farm invasions, which they described as terrible, but they are happy the police have restored order and unblocked many key roads to allow trucks to get to ports and exports flowing again.
For more information:
David Sandoval
Fluctuante
Tel: +51 936 336 499
Email: davidsandoval@fluctuante.lat
www.fluctuante.lat