on Wednesday underscored that eight Peruvian regions, located outside Lima, broke export records during 2023, deeming this fact as valuable, considering the difficult year that has passed.
The regions that displayed this great performance were: Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Moquegua, and Piura.
Within this framework, Arequipa and Ica consolidated as the main exporters in the country's regions (outside Lima).
Last year, a total of 13 regions obtained positive results in terms of shipments to the world. Added to the aforementioned regions were Pasco, Huanuco, Madre de Dios, Puno, and Tacna.
"In 2023, the value of export shipments from regions totaled $54.230 billion, which accounts for 84% of total national shipments. Arequipa was the hinterland region that contributed the most to Peruvian exports, accounting for close to 10% of the total, followed by Ica with 9.6%, and Ancash with 8%," the Mincetur head remarked.
According to Mincetur's Monthly Regional Trade Report for December 2023, Arequipa is the top region in terms of mineral exports, while Ica leads sales of non-mining and energy goods. Besides, La Libertad, Ica, and Piura stood out in agro-exports.
Results by macroregions
According to information from Mincetur, in the south almost every region increased its exports -with the exception of Cusco.
In this regard, Moquegua (US$4.165 billion) and Apurimac (US$3.495 billion) stood out, thanks to the contributions by Quellaveco and Las Bambas, respectively. Sales abroad from Arequipa, Tacna, and Puno also rose.
In the east, Madre de Dios increased its exports (+11%) due to the contribution of gold, whose sales grew 28%.
However, exports from Ucayali decreased (-35%) due to lower sales of palm oil; followed by those from Amazonas (-20%) because of lower coffee sales; Loreto (-11%) due to lower oil sales; and San Martín (-1%) due to the decrease in palm oil and coffee shipments.
As is known, coffee shipments were affected by lower international prices.
Concerning central regions, Pasco (+96%), Huanuco (+34%), Junin (+29%), Ayacucho (+19%), and Ica (+17%) increased their exports thanks to higher sales of minerals (copper, lead, and zinc), plus agricultural goods (grapes, cranberries, and ginger).
In the north, exports were affected by climate alterations. However, sales from Piura abroad grew (+7%) due to higher sales of fuel oil, squid, and phosphate. They were followed by La Libertad (+7%) due to higher sales of blueberries (+19%) and fishmeal (+50%).
Nonetheless, sales abroad from Ancash, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, and Tumbes experienced declines.
Agro-exports growth
Minister Mathews stressed that
agricultural exports grew 21.2% in December, accumulating a 4.2% rise in 2023 and reaching a new record of US$10.134 billion.
"There is no doubt that hinterland regions support this important growth. Ica, Ancash, and La Libertad have increased sales of fruits, such as grapes, avocados, and blueberries, respectively," Mathews indicated.
"On the other hand, agro-exports from the highlands grew 16% due to the increase in shipments of pomegranates, coffee, and quinoa. Sales from the coast also increased 9.1% due to the performance of grapes, blueberries, and avocados," he added.