Peru's non-traditional agricultural exports totaled US$ 355 million in January this year, up 14% from the same month a year earlier, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCR) reported.
The central bank said on Saturday that the positive performance in February was driven by the increased shipments of grapes and mangoes with both growing by 31 percent while quinoa exports rose by 208 percent in the month.
According to data from the BCR, Peruvian non-traditional agricultural exports to the Netherlands and China increased 41% and 20% respectively while shipments to Hong Kong, Russia and Germany rose 40%, 29% and 42%, respectively in the month.
Sales to the European Union bloc jumped 23%, followed by Asia (18%), North America (6%) and Andean countries (1%).
Furthermore, non-traditional exports from Peru amounted to $ 877 million in January, recording an increase of 1% over the same month in 2013.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri), Peruvian exports of non-traditional agricultural products are expected to grow over 7 percent this year, driven by increased sales of asparagus, avocados, grapes and other new products.
(END) AQR/DLG
Published: 3/9/2014