Peruvian exports amounted to more than US$50.402 billion between January and November 2021, up 36% compared to the same period in 2020, the
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reported on Thursday.
This amount —added to the rise in imports, which reached US$42.135 billion in the same period (up 39.7% from January-November 2020)— makes a total of US$92.537 billion in foreign trade of goods, almost a new record for the country.
"Peru's foreign trade in goods is believed to reach its historical peak in 2021, over US$100 billion, as a result of the rise of both exports and imports," said
Roberto Sanchez, the head of Mincetur.
"This achievement proves the great capacity of our companies —mainly of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)— to take advantage of the opportunities arising in the current international context of economic recovery," he added.
The growth in the number of exporters also stood out during the period analyzed, reaching 8,421 (14.4%), which is above pre-pandemic levels.
These companies have sent shipments to 168 destinations, particularly to China (37%), the European Union (14%), and the United States (13%).
Productive sectors
According to Mincetur, all economic sectors have managed to increase their exports, including jewelry (113.2%), hydrocarbons (93.2%), metallurgy (82%), textile (71.2%), iron and steel (70.4%), fishing (38.9%), mining (37%), chemical (30%), and agro-exports (17%).
Traditional and non-traditional agro-exports continued to grow between January and November 2021 thanks to higher sales of fruits (23.3%), mainly of avocados (40.6%), blueberries (24.2%) and grapes (23.3%). Exports of vegetables also saw an increase (8.7%), including onions (10%) and fresh asparagus (8%).
On the other hand, traditional and non-traditional fishery exports grew 38.9% between January and November last year, driven by higher sales of scallops (69.7%), fishmeal and fish oil (60.6% and 49.7%, respectively), as well as frozen fish (42.7%). Exports of giant squid, the second most important fishery product, rose 1.1%.
(END) NDP/VLA/JJN/RMB/MVB
Published: 1/6/2022