Peruvian citrus exports reach a historical record in 2020

Peru’s citrus exports set a record in 2020.

According to The Foreign Trade Research and Development Institute of the Lima Chamber of Commerce (LDEXCAM), citrus exports hit the historical record, registering an increase in value of 37 percent, compared to the previous year.

Last year reflected shipments of 244,783 tons, valued at $262 million, as reported by La Camara.

Due to its antioxidant properties and high content of vitamin C that strengthens the immune system, citrus demand is growing during the pandemic, explains Idexcam.

Even before the pandemic, Peru has seen export records each year since 2017.

Registering 36 percent growth in 2020, mandarin exports totaled $250.4 million when compared to the previous year ($184 million).

Shipments grew in 11 destination markets with the main one being the U.S. registering a growth of 52 percent to $125.3 million, followed by the Netherlands +19 percent to $25 million, Canada +15 percent to $17.8 million, China +40 percent to $15.7 million, and Russia +90 percent to $13.2 million.

Likewise, Ireland, Hong Kong, Spain, Mexico, Panama, and Japan also reported increases.

Oranges registered an increase of 46 percent after accounting for $12.1 million in value. The main destination markets were the UK with a growth of 91 percent to $6.8 million, the Netherlands +7 percent to $3 million, Panama +51 percent to $416,788, Sweden +74 percent to $344,688, and the US +88 percent to $341,962.

Production of both mandarins and oranges has grown steadily since 2010, registering a year-on-year increase of 9 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

According to the Integrated System of Agrarian Statistics (SIEA) of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), in 2020 the production of mandarins reached 525,000 tons, with Lima being the main producing region with 44 percent, followed by Junin 24 percent, Ica 17 percent, and Puno 6 percent.

While orange production totaled 553,000 tons with Junin being the main producer with 45 percent, followed by San Martin 14 percent, Puno 9 percent, and Cusco 5 percent.

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