World imports of food and beverages would increase 4% this year

After 2023 in which global food and beverage imports totaled US$ 1,775 million, growing 4.2%, the Global Economy and Business Research Center of the Association of Exporters (Adex) projects that these international purchases will have a 4% advance this year.

According to Adex, the main products that countries import are cereals and preparations, which totaled US$320 billion last year. Also in 2023 there was a high demand for fruits and vegetables, with a sale of US$ 260,000 million; animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes, which totaled US$ 194,000 million; as well as seeds and oilseed fruits, with US$ 175,000 million.

Other products with significant imports last year were: meat and preparations (US$ 172,000 million); fish, crustaceans, mollusks (US$ 166,000 million); beverages (US$ 165,000 million); coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and preparations (US$ 136,000 million); dairy and eggs with (US$ 128,000 million); and sugar, honey and preparations (US$ 59,000 million).

Among the main importers of food and beverages are the European Union, China, and the United States, which concentrate 61.46% of this market. In the category of fruits and vegetables alone, in 2023 it is estimated that the United States imported US$111 billion, the European Union for US$40 billion, and China for US$21 billion.

“The category of fruits and vegetables worldwide is a growing market, so Peru still has a large space in which we can continue competing and taking advantage of these opportunities, since our exportable offer is more positioned precisely in this segment of fruits and vegetables. ”commented Edgar Vásquez, director of the Adex Global Business and Economy Research Center.

Vásquez affirms that Peru has great potential in the food and beverage market. Last year alone, Peruvian agricultural exports totaled US$10,202 million and it is projected that in 2024 they will reach US$10,525 million.

“In 2024 we would reach a new record in Peruvian agricultural exports, reaching US$ 10,525 million (3.2%). Peru has been leading different markets, being the main world exporters of blueberries, grapes, asparagus, quinoa, color lakes; seconds in avocado, ginger, Brazil nuts, artichoke, squid, among other foods that are part of our export basket,” he commented.

In 2023, the main shipments from Peru were grapes, blueberries, avocado, unroasted green coffee, and asparagus, sent mainly to destinations such as the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, Ecuador and China.

Source: Gestion Newspaper