Peru achieved a historical export record by reaching US$ 64,355 million

Peruvian shipments reached 180 destinations, with China being the main point of our exports (36% of the total), followed by the United States (14%), the European Union (11%), Canada (5%) and India (4%).

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Juan Carlos Mathews, highlighted this Tuesday, February 6, that the value of Peruvian exports of goods achieved again, and for the third consecutive year, a historical record by exceeding US$ 64 billion in 2023.

According to Mincetur, Peruvian shipments reached 180 destinations, with China being the main point of our exports (36% of the total), followed by the United States (14%), European Union (11%), Canada (5%). and India (4%). The Asian continent accounts for 51% of total exports, followed by America with 33% and Europe with 15%.

In addition, a record number of 9,331 exporters was registered, a figure that represents 2.2% more than in 2022. Within that total, 29% exported agricultural products (2,730) and 14% exported minerals. In 2023, 6,401 micro, small and medium-sized companies (MSMEs) made shipments abroad (+1.6% year-on-year) for a value of US$ 2,746 million (+28.9% year-on-year). MSMEs accounted for 69% of the number of exporters.

“2023 has been a really challenging, resilient year with a lot of learning. The result obtained is thanks to the efforts of the companies and the commitment of the Government to maintain a policy of commercial integration with the world that has transcended efforts. The foreign trade sector shows us its strength with these results,” commented Juan Carlos Mathews.

He added that, in 2024, the agenda is to continue negotiating the optimization of the FTA with China, a next FTA with Hong Kong, the restart of negotiations with India and the start of negotiations with Indonesia.
Added to this is continuing to strengthen exporting MSMEs under the Productive Exporting Route (RPE) program, which this year has been expanded to 14 regions. Likewise, through the Internationalization Support Program (PAI), through non-refundable co-financing, export projects of exporting MSMEs and/or with export potential are executed.
Meanwhile, Promperú - through the Export Route program - strengthens the capacities of MSMEs for export, promoting their development and consolidation in the internationalization process, among other important actions.

Export growth
Export growth in 2023 was mainly driven by higher exports of fruits (+14.9%) and minerals (+11.4%: metallic and non-metallic). In these areas, the growth in the exported value of grapes (+29.7%), lead (+37.4%) and molybdenum (+27.8%) stood out.
The export of copper, the main product that Peru exports, amounted to US$ 23,005 million, a record value and equivalent to 25 times the export value recorded at the beginning of this century.
With this, Peru has consolidated its status as the second largest copper exporter in the world.

For its part, agricultural exports in 2023 amounted to US$ 10,134 million, a record value. Along with the higher sales of fruit, there were increases in sales of cocoa/derivatives (+29.3%) and ginger (+80%). Higher sales of these goods offset the drop in the exported value of coffee (-32.9%).
Last year, 13 inland regions increased their exports: Pasco (+96%), Moquegua (+84%), Apurímac (+72%), Huánuco (+34%), Junín (+29%), Ayacucho (+19 %), Ica (+17%), Madre de Dios (+11%), Piura (+7%), La Libertad (+7%), Arequipa (+5%), Puno (+4%) and Tacna ( 0.2%). Within them, 8 regions recorded new historical highs: Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Moquegua and Piura.
Data
In 2023, some 45,863 companies participated directly in foreign trade of goods (exports and imports), that is, 4.8% more than in 2022.

The import of capital goods fell 2.3% in 2023, due to lower purchases of construction materials and machinery and equipment. In addition, the import of consumer goods decreased 0.7%, mainly purchases of clothing and household appliances.

Source: Newspaper El Comercio