Cocoa production continues to be of vital importance to the economy of small farmers in the Peruvian Amazon. It is estimated that around 100,000 producers farms in this area of the country are dedicated to this crop.
According to the Vice Minister of Foreign tradeTeresa Mera Gómez, cocoa is grown in 14 regions of Peru, the most important being Cusco, San Martín, Ayacucho, Amazonas, Huánuco and Junín, which together represent more than 90% of national production.
In terms of foreign trade, exports of this product and its derivatives exceeded US$334 million in 2022, which meant a growth of 10% compared to the previous year and represents an increase of 25% in the last five years, according to to the official
In addition, so far in 2023, the shipments abroad for this concept reached US$131 million, reflecting a growth of 18% compared to what was registered in the same period last year.
Peruvian cocoa was the most awarded in the chocolate contest in Paris during 2022. Photo: La República
“Cocoa products and their derivatives reach more than 70 markets worldwide, the main destinations being the United States, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, Malaysia, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and France,” he said. Vice Minister Mera during the inauguration of the XIV International Cocoa and Chocolate Fair 2023.
For his part, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elmer Schialer, stressed that these figures have positioned Peru as an international benchmark in the sector. He stressed that our country is the second largest producer of organic cocoa in the world and the first international cocoa producer with double certification: organic and Fairtrade.
Chocolate export doubled
On the other hand, Anaximander Rojas, president of the Peruvian Association of Cocoa Producers (APPCACAO), highlighted the notable export growth of chocolate in the last year.
Fair brought together 250 national brands, including cocoa organizations and companies, as well as input and service providers at the San Borja Convention Center. Photo: Agroidea
According to their statements, during this period more than 9 tons of this product were dispatched, which represented an increase of more than 100% compared to the volume shipped in 2021.
However, red warned that currently the cocoa sector worldwide is facing a uncertainty scenario due to factors such as the Global El Niño phenomenon, which is causing serious impacts in the sector due to the increase in pests and droughts in some areas of the world, as well as heavy rains.
“A decrease in production worldwide is expected due to the increase in pests and droughts in some areas of the world, as well as heavy rains in others,” Rojas warned.
According to the agricultural representative, these global conditions have caused an increase in the price of cocoa in recent months, exceeding US$3,200 per ton.
Peru is the first LATAM country at the Salon Du Chocolat Paris
The 2023 International Cocoa and Chocolate Show, which opened yesterday, has made Peru the first producing country from Latin America to license the international brand of the Salon Du Chocolat in Paris, thus consolidating itself as an international benchmark in the cocoa and its derivatives sector, according to Elmer Schialer.
This edition of the cocoa fair and chocolate goes until Sunday July 16 at the Lima Convention Center, San Borja.
The visit of more than 20,000 people and placements in business roundtables for more than US$30 million are expected.
18 will participate international buyers.
The word
Teresa Mera, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade
“This year we have implemented the productive export route in the cocoa and derivatives chain in the regions of Amazonas, Junín, San Martín, Piura, Cajamarca, Huánuco, Cusco, Ucayali, Ayacucho and Tumbes.”
Source: Larepublica
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