The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reported that Peruvian exports reached US$ 56,241 million in 2021, representing a growth of 35% compared to 2020 and even exceeding the figures prepandemic. This performance was the product of the recovery of local production and higher international prices.
Likewise, adding imports, which reached US$ 46,438 million (+37.2%), the Peruvian foreign trade obtained US$ 102,679 million, the highest historical value, with an increase of 36% and 19% compared to 2020 and 2019, respectively. In this way, Peru has higher growth rates than Latin America and the world, and a trade surplus in favor of Peru of US$ 9,803 million.
“This milestone for the foreign trade sector is possible thanks to the push of exporters, farmers, workers, longshoremen and all those who participate in the export chain. They have shown their resilience, which today makes us one of the most solid sectors, which provides great benefits throughout the country,” said the head of the sector, Roberto Sánchez.
In 2021, the number of exporters reached 8,573, 68% being micro, small and medium-sized companies. Given this, Minister Sánchez reiterated his commitment to continue working hand in hand with MSMEs, producer associations and cooperatives to strengthen export capacities, open new markets and spread the benefits of trade agreements international.
It should be noted that Peruvian products reached 170 markets. The main destinations were China (33% of the total), the United States (13%), the European Union (12%), South Korea (5%) and Canada (5%).
Unpacking figures
In 2021, all productive sectors achieved positive figures in their exports. Such is the case of the metallurgical (+75.9%), iron and steel (+74.7%), textile (+68.4%), jewelry (+64.3%), fishing (+34.7% ), mining (+33.5%), glass (+32%), forest (+30.8%), chemical (+29.4%) and agro-export (+18%).
Traditional and non-traditional agricultural exports reached US$ 8,874 million in 2021, setting a new record. The main products exported were blueberries (+22%), grapes (+21.6%), avocados (+39.7%), mangoes (+11%), cocoa and derivatives (+10.2%), and asparagus (+3.5%). It should be noted that Peru is close to being included in the ranking of the 10 main fruit exporters in the world.
For its part, traditional and non-traditional fishery exports reached US$ 3,865 million, a growth of 34.7%, which also marks a record for the sector. Among the main products, sales of scallops (+60.9%), fish (+45%), shrimp (+13.4%) and fish meal/oil (+51%) stand out.
The export of the textile/clothing category reached US$ 1,731 million, a growth of 68% compared to 2020 and 28% compared to 2019. This is explained by the greater sale of cotton products, which reached US$ 1,053 million ( +68%), and wool and fine hair products, which totaled US$ 241 million (+65%).
In the mining-energy sector, the most dynamic products were natural gas (+220.3%), tin (+134.7%), oil/derivatives (+98.4%), molybdenum (+82.9% ) and iron (58.1%). The export of copper, Peru’s main export good, grew by 36.7%.
Source: Larepublica
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