The shipment of the fruit marked the start of operations at the megaport, which promises to reduce logistics costs and improve transit times, positioning Peru as a key player in agricultural exports to Asia.

During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Dina Boluarte gaveThe kick-off for the Chancay megaport, a project worth around US$3.500 billion that will boost trade between Peru and Asian countries.

That same week, The first cargo from that port was dispatched by the company Qali, from Agrícola Cerro Prieto (ACP). It carries blueberries produced by the company to Shanghai.

In an interview with DFSUD, the general manager of ProArándanos, Luis Miguel Vegas, highlighted the use of the port of Chancay as a gateway to the Asian market.

“This first shipment is a route that will take 25 days of transit time, which is great. It is expected that with the port of Chancay we will have services with shorter transit times., which will allow us to arrive with, obviously, better times and with fruit in the best conditions," commented the manager.

According to the company, the value of the cargo is more than four times the price of a car imported from China.

“From Qali, Our premium blueberries travel to Shanghai via the Chancay Megaport”, the ACP highlighted. “The value of our shipments, which far exceeds that of other products, reaffirms our position as a benchmark for quality in international markets”, they added on their social networks.

According to data from the trade organization Proarándanos, 33.919 tons of fresh blueberries have been exported to Asian countries to date, representing 16% of total shipments. Of this total, 85% is exported to China and the remaining 15% is divided into eight different destinations.

Better times

According to the Government of Peru's projections for 2023, the port of Chancay It would allow a reduction in logistics costs for companies of 15%.

“The transit of our products to Asia takes 40 days, but with the new port this can be reduced to between 25 and 28 days. This is a significant reduction because our products will arrive sooner and, in addition, we will lower costs for the exporter,” said the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Teresa Mera, last year.

China and competition in the region

In 2023, Peru exported 47 agro-industrial products to China for US$ 369 million, among which blueberries, grapes and avocados stood out, according to the Association of Exporters (Adex).

Among the main items shipped in 2023, blueberries stood out, representing 35,4% of the total shipped; grapes (21%), avocado (18%), fresh and refrigerated seaweed (11,4%) and tara powder (7,5%).

In addition, agro-industrial exports have experienced significant growth, mainly since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Peru and China came into effect. Agricultural shipments rose from US$19 million in 2009 to US$369 million in 2023.

“The port of Chancay It represents a great step in that respect of competitiveness with other countries.. This gives us an advantage as an industry on a global level, being able to supply any market in shorter transit times allows us to reach the markets with fruit in optimal conditions and this helps to boost consumption," said Vegas.

Despite this increase, the Peruvian agricultural industry is relatively young and still far behind its neighboring competitor, Chile. In that country, agricultural exports to China in 2023 reached US$ 3.042 million, according to figures from the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa).

Chilean fruit shipments were concentrated in cherries (56%), plums (18%), table grapes (12%) and nectarines (6%) during 2023.