In 2016, the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the main consumers of fresh fruit from Peru, as they purchased US $1,349 million. Together, they accounted for 61.8% of total exports, according to the Foreign Trade Center (CCEX) of the Chamber of Commerce of Lima.
"This coincides with the prioritization of the approval of health protocols that our country has been carrying out and it reflects the importance of continuing this crucial process that will allow us to make the best use of trade agreements," said Carlos Garcia Jeri, manager of the Foreign Trade Center -CCL.
Peruvian fresh fruit exports amounted to $2,026 million dollars in 2016, registering a positive variation of 11% in the export value, i.e. US $ 209 million. "The sales volume increased by 5%, and we exported 1 million tons more," said Garcia Jeri.
According to the analysis of the CCEX and the CCL, the United States is the largest consumer of fresh fruits, as it purchased US $675 million and accounts for 27.6% of total exports. "Peru mainly sells grapes (27%), bananas (20%), mangoes (22%), avocados (11%) and tangerine clementines (6%) to the US market," Garcia said.
The Netherlands is the second biggest market with purchases for US $465 million, i.e. 16.4% more than in the previous year. In addition, it has a 26% stake. According to Garcia Jeri, this country doesn't consume all of its imports, as they re-export the products to other European countries. The most demanded fruits were the avocados (28%), bananas (23%), mangoes (22%) and grapes (13%).
The United Kingdom ranked third with 8.2% of total exports. This country purchased US $179 million and had a positive variation of 19.8%. The most demanded products include avocados (23%), mangoes (17%), mandarins (26%), and grapes (13%).
Spain (the second largest exporter of fruits in the world) ranks fourth and demands avocados (76%), mangoes (14%), and grapes (5%). In 2016, fruit exports to Spain amounted to US $103 million, i.e. 46.6% more than in the previous year.
Hong Kong also ranks fourth. This Asian market accounts for 3.2% of total sales. According to CCEX, Hong Kong mainly buys grapes from Peru (90%). "Hong Kong, which purchased US $78 million, was the only top ranking market that had a decrease in imports from Peru (-10.6%)," Garcia said.
