Peruvian onion export value up, volume down

From January to October of this year, Peruvian exports of fresh onion totaled $75.3 million, showing an increase of 0.5 percent compared to the $74.9 million registered in the same months of 2022, according to Agraria, using figures from Agradata Perú.

Agradata Perú pointed out that in the first 10 months of this year, the volume shipped of fresh onion from Peru reached 186.6 million kilos, registering a decrease of 13.1 percent compared to the 214.8 million kilos shipped in a similar period of the previous year.

From the analysis it is clear that this increase in value – despite the lower volume – is due to the higher price received in the international market. Thus, from January to October 2023, the price of onion rose to $.40 per kilogram on average versus the $.35 per kilo on average reached from January to October 2022.

The U.S. leads the destination of fresh Peruvian onions, with purchases for $49,146,694 (participating with 46 percent of the total in value) and 105,434,813 kilos. Spain follows with $14,547,912 (19 percent of the FOB total) and 27,972,224 kilos; Colombia with $8,423,371 (11 percent) and 37,415,911 kilos.

Agrodata Perú highlighted that Peruvian exports of fresh onion to neighboring countries register lower prices than the domestic market. As an example, he explained that shipments to Colombia are seen at a price of $.23 per kilo on average.

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