The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri) stated that, as a result of a higher placement of traditional products, exports in the first two months of the year (January and February) amounted to $827 million dollars, i.e. 2% more than in the same period of 2015.
The products with the highest demand in the international market were fresh grapes, with a total of 171 million dollars, fresh mangoes (98 million dollars), fresh asparagus (59 million), frozen mango (31 million), Cavendish Valery bananas (26 million), cranberries (19 million), and prepared asparagus (18 million).
The Minagri highlighted that the agricultural trade balance in the period of analysis had been positive by 193 million dollars, as exports amounted to 827 million dollars and imports to 634 million dollars. This was the result of the increase in shipments of products, such as cranberries (+331%), paprika (+122%), and other fresh fruits (+115%).
In the first two months of 2016, Peru's agricultural exports reached 110 countries. The U S continues to be the country's top buyer with 29% of the share, followed by the Netherlands, with 15%, and other major markets, such as Spain, Hong Kong, Ecuador, England, China, and Colombia.
Juan Benites, head of Minagri estimated that, by the end of 2016, agricultural exports would surpass 6 billion dollars because of a greater access of products to the markets and because Peru is one of the top ten food supplying nations in the world.
