Peru's trade balance registered a US$7.049 billion
surplus in 2018, the highest figure since 2011, thus maintaining the positive trend witnessed for three years in a row, Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported.
"In 2018,
exports totaled US$48.942 billion. A historic amount that confirmed the upward trend over the last three years, thus marking an 8.1% increase compared to 2017," it expressed.
"That was underpinned by higher export volumes (1.5%) and price (6.5%)," BCR added.
According to the issuing entity,
traditional exports' average price rose (8%) last year, mainly zinc, oil derivatives, and fish flour.
"While
non-traditional export volumes posted an 11% expansion, driven by greater shipments of agricultural, fishery, and chemical products," it indicated.
Imports
Likewise, BCR pointed out imports totaled US$41.893 billion, an 8.2% increase compared to 2017.
This result was boosted by greater purchases of inputs (+14.8%), as well as capital (+2.9%) and consumer goods (+2.8%).
In December 2018, Peru's trade balance posted a US$1.076 billion surplus. Exports amounted to US$4.227 billion, while imports reached US$3.152 billion.
(END) MDV/MDV/DTK/RMB
Published: 2/8/2019