Non-traditional Peruvian Agro Exports increased in 17.1% during first quarter 2022

Source: https://www.comexperu.org.pe/articulo/agroexportaciones-no-tradicionales-crecieron-un-171-en-el-primer-trimestre-de-2022

According to figures from Sunat[1], in the first quarter of 2022, non-traditional agro-exports reached a value of US$ 2,017 million, which represented a growth of 17.1% compared to the same period of 2021 and 31.8% more than what was recorded in the same period of 2020.

The main destination was the USA, with US$ 702 million, which represented a 26% growth compared to the first quarter of 2021. It is followed by the Netherlands (US$ 303.9 million; +1.5%), Spain (US$ 108.8 million; -1.6%), China (US$ 95.2 million; +104.8%) and Hong Kong (US$ 91.7 million; -2.4%).

Likewise, the most outstanding products exported in this subsector were fresh grapes, fresh mangos, fresh blueberries and fresh avocados.

Fresh grapes were positioned as the main non-traditional agricultural product exported in the first quarter of the year, with shipments valued at US$ 616.7 million, which translated into an increase of 22.3% compared to a similar period in 2021 (US$ 504.2 million).

Among the departments that led agroexports of fresh grapes, Ica ranked first, with a value of US$ 515.4 million (+25.7%), while Piura (US$ 46.5 million, +2.3%) and La Libertad (US$ 25.1 million, +25.1%) close the top 3.

On the other hand, exports of fresh mangoes, the second export product of the subsector, reached a value of US$ 193.1 million; however, they registered a year-on-year decrease of 9.7%.

The department that led fresh mango exports, between January and March 2022, was Piura, with shipments of US$ 137.4 million (-13.8%). This represented US$ 22.1 million less than that recorded in the same period of 2021. In second place was Ancash, with US$ 34.2 million (+10.4%). Lambayeque ranked third, recording shipments worth US$ 17 million (-16.5%).

Fresh blueberries ranked third, with an export value of US$ 121.7 million in the first quarter of the year, a year-on-year growth of 119%.

La Libertad was the main exporter of fresh blueberries, with shipments of US$ 84.7 million (+135.5%). Second and third place went to Lambayeque and Ancash, with shipments of US$ 15 million (+57.9%) and US$ 9.6 million (+188.4%), respectively. Thus, these three departments were responsible for 89.7% of total exports of this product.

Finally, fresh avocados ranked fourth among the main export products of the subsector, with an export value of US$ 98.7 million, 20.3% less than in the same period of the previous year.

Lima leads the list of main fresh avocado exporting departments, since in the first quarter of 2022 it recorded shipments of US$ 48.3 million; however, this result represented a year-on-year drop of 24.2%. Ica and Lambayeque complete the top 3, with shipments worth US$ 20.1 million (-5.2%) and US$ 12.5 million (-17.1%), respectively.

AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT
As previously mentioned, the four prioritized projects in the agriculture sector of the National Infrastructure Plan for Competitiveness (PNIC) report low cumulative progress at the end of 2021 (see Weekly 1112).

On the other hand, as we detailed in the seventh Public Expenditure Effectiveness Report, the Opening Institutional Budget allocated to the agricultural function in 2022 was S/ 6,241 million, a figure that represents 3.2% of the total public budget and is 28.7% less than in 2021. In addition, at the end of April, the modified institutional budget amounted to S/ 7,133 million, i.e., it increased by 14.3% with respect to the initial budget.

According to MEF figures, in April 2022, investment in the agricultural and livestock function amounted to S/ 816 million, which is 20.8% more than what was executed in the same period of 2021. This result was led by the progress of the Trans-Andean Tunnel in Lambayeque and the projects for the use of water resources for agricultural use (by subnational governments).

It is important to highlight that our non-traditional agro-exports continue to show a good performance, with sustained growth. In 2021, these registered a record with shipments of US$ 7,974 million (+17.9%). Likewise, as of the first quarter of 2022, they had a growth of 17.1%. Therefore, the dynamism of agroexports must be ensured through concrete actions such as the promotion and execution of investments for the sector. The Government and the private sector must work hand in hand to continue generating benefits for Peruvian families through this activity.

[1] Export figures contain preliminary official data for the period January-March 2022.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)