Despite the deterioration in Peruvian national production seen in 2023, exports achieved another record: it reached US$64,355 million, 1.1% more than in 2022, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur).
Thus, for the third consecutive year, the shipment of goods to international markets closed in the green, although this time not in double digits.
Juan Carlos Mathews, head of Mincetur, points out that the foreign trade sector “shows its strength” despite the challenges, although the Association of Exporters (Adex) warns that there is nothing to celebrate, since it was possible to achieve a rate higher, but business mistrust and lack of political predictability limited performance.
“Business confidence didn’t help much. There is not much to celebrate, just highlight the resilient spirit of exporters. “It has been a miracle,” the president of Adex, Julio Pérez Alván, told La República.
Mining and agribusiness at the forefront
The 2023 result is explained by the greater sale of minerals (+11.4%), followed by agro-exports (+4.2%) —and in the latter, a record of US$10,134 million was also reached.
Pérez Alván recalls that mining and agribusiness accounted for 76% of total shipments, encouraged by the good prices of copper and gold, which since the middle of the pandemic have exceeded levels not seen in a decade. For the current sector, the textile-clothing sector will also be relevant.
By sector, in metallic and non-metallic mining, shipments of lead (+37.4%), molybdenum (+27.8%), anthracite (+15.9%), calcium phosphate (+14.4%) stood out ), copper (+16.8%) and gold (+12.3%). While, in agriculture, shipments of ginger (+80%), cocoa (+29.3%), blueberries (25.6%) and grapes (+29.7%) stand out.
More treaties in sight
Pérez Alván hopes that this year will be more auspicious for exports, considering that, at a global level, the United States—one of our main trading partners—has put its GDP back on track. Internally, he recommends that Dina Boluarte’s management be more transparent with her political decisions to mitigate social claims such as access to health, education and decent pensions, as well as the reduction of informality.
“There are free trade agreements with India, Indonesia and Hong Kong that are very important, that would add to growth and that could be finalized this year,” he said.
Source: Larepublica
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