Peru exceeds USD 1 billion in exports in a quarter to the United States for the first time
Between January and March 2022, imports of agricultural products in the United States totaled USD 19,612 million, 18% more compared to the same period in 2021. Of the total imported by the North American country, acquisitions of fruits, vegetables and grains from Peru reached USD 1,176 million, which meant an increase of 35% compared to the first quarter of 2021, marking the milestone of being the first time that Peruvian exports exceeded the barrier of USD 1,000 million in a quarter, according to FreshFruit.
The increase in food purchases by the United States was driven by imports of coffee and corn, products that showed an increase of over 40%. Along the same lines, Peruvian shipments increased due to coffee, whose imports grew 131%, and fruit, which increased 33%.
The main Peruvian products imported by the United States were grapes, blueberries and coffee, which achieved a joint share of 67%.
Grape
The United States imported 347,939 tons of grapes for USD 1,139 million, an increase of 3% in volume and 17% in value compared to the same period of the previous year. Purchases of fruit from Peru totaled 162,918 tons for USD 571 million, an increase of 20% in volume and 34% in value compared to the first quarter of 2021.
The average price of grapes in the United States was USD 3.27 per kilogram, 13% more than the first quarter of 2021. In this market, the Peruvian vine was quoted at USD 3.51 per kilogram (+12%).
Blueberries
Blueberry imports in the United States totaled 98,005 tons for USD 654 million, an increase of 13% in volume and 16% in value compared to the first quarter of 2021. Purchases of the Peruvian berry totaled 18,575 tons for USD 110 million, a positive variation of the 91% in volume and 92% in value compared to the same period of the previous year.
In these months, the main blueberry suppliers in the United States were Chile (50% share with 9 percentage points less than the previous year), Mexico (30% with 1 percentage point more) and Peru (19% with 8 percentage points plus).
The average price of blueberries in the United States was USD 6.68 per kilogram, 2% more than the first quarter of 2021. The Peruvian fruit was the one that traded at a lower price with USD 5.91 per kilogram.
Coffee
Coffee imports in the United States totaled 401,449 tons for USD 2,234 million, 9% more in volume and 57% more in value compared to the same period of the previous year. Acquisitions of grain from Peru totaled 18,835 tons for USD 102 million, 184% more in volume and 264% more in value compared to the first quarter of 2021.
In these months, the main suppliers of coffee to the United States were Brazil (30% share with 6 percentage points less than the previous year) and Colombia (21% with 2 percentage points less). In the case of Peru, the country rose two positions in the ranking and had a participation of 5% (3 percentage points more).
The average price of coffee in the United States was USD 5.56 per kilogram, 44% more than in the first quarter of 2021. The best valued coffee was Colombian, with an average price of USD 6.12 per kilogram, 48% more; followed by the Peruvian, with USD 5.42 per kilogram, 28% more. For its part, the worst valued coffee was Brazilian, with USD 4.19 per kilogram, 67% more.
