Peru is a privileged country, not only because of the mining, the variety of climates, the landscapes and the gastronomy that conquers the world, but also because of its agricultural products. According to information from the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), only last year was a milestone marked in the development of this sector.
According to Midagri, in 2025 the export of agricultural products of 540 items to 115 international destinations will be completed. The United States is the main destination of these shipments with a 28% share.
Among these foods, one that not only delights Peruvian palates, but also foreigners, is avocado. Its flavor, but also its health benefits—because it contains healthy fats, vitamins and minerals that allow it to be a good companion in diets—have allowed its sales abroad to increase each year.
Figures from the Association of Exporters (ADEX) reveal that only between January and November of last year, exports of the so-called ‘green gold’ grew 10.27% and exceeded US$1.3 billion. Everything indicates that shipments will continue to expand each year.
With the good results of foreign sales of this product, for years, Peru managed to consolidate itself as the second exporter of this fruit, being surpassed only by Mexico, although with a long advantage in between.
Despite this difference (see table), international markets continue to open for the Peruvian product. In this regard, the head of ADEX Consulting, Lizbeth Pumasunco, explained that, by value, this food is the third best-selling within the agro-export portfolio with a share of 10.51%. In addition, he explained that there are two types that are sent: Hass and Fuerte. “The Hass avocado accounts for more than 80% of exports,” he commented.
“33% of exports go to the Netherlands and then Spain and the United States follow. We must take into account that almost all of our production goes for sale abroad,”
he detailed.
Likewise, he pointed out that one of the advantages of the Hass avocado is its thick skin, which allows it not to have problems when it is sent abroad; That is, the product arrives in very good condition. Likewise, it has a creamy and oily pulp, as well as an intense flavor that makes it a highly demanded food.
However, for shipments to continue growing and the product to position itself in other markets, the ADEX representative considered that articulated work between the different ministries and institutions of the State is necessary, so that production can be increased and, therefore, also the amount that is exported.
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
Although Peru has positioned itself in some economies with the sale of avocado, there is potential to take advantage of in some markets. The executive director of the Foreign Trade Research and Development Institute (Idexcam) of the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL), Carlos Posada, indicated that countries such as China, the Philippines and Japan offer an opportunity to increase trade in this fruit.
“60% of the avocado goes to Europe, but there is a trend in Asian countries for the consumption of healthy food, so we have to try to open new markets and position ourselves where we do not have as much presence today. I believe that the great market of the future is in Asia,” he highlighted.
Likewise, he highlighted the growth recorded in avocado shipments to the United States. In that sense, he recalled that the northern country recently presented the new dietary guidelines and one of the changes is that they prioritize healthy fats, as is the case of the one offered by ‘green gold’.
“That is going to be a great hook for our sales to that country. I think it is an opportunity to take advantage and activate an agro-export policy to that economy, so that exports increase,” he indicated.
Carlos Posada highlighted the investments of companies in technology so that they can take advantage of their productive capacity. This has also allowed the quality of the fruit to improve, which is appreciated by buyers abroad.
“A medium and long-term objective should be to surpass Mexico, but that requires joint work within the State. The sector has been growing in productivity and quantity, and as there is a trend towards the consumption of healthy products, we must take advantage of that,” he said.
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