In a context of new challenges and opportunities for Peruvian agricultural exports, Araya & Compañía Abogados and Producepay organized the breakfast-conversation “Guide for the next generation of agricultural exporters: Making Peruvian exports more resilient for global competitiveness”, a space for dialogue that brought together prominent representatives of the sector to discuss the future of agriculture and its role in international markets.

The event featured the participation of Ángel Manero Campos, former Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation of Peru; Alfredo Lira Chirif, CEO and founder of AgroLeal; Fernando Cillóniz, former Governor of Ica and Director of Inform@cción; Juan Pablo Salvadores, Country Manager of Araya & Cía. Abogados in Peru; and Cecilia Amador, Regional Sales Manager of Producepay, who also moderated the discussion. The event brought together representatives from various agricultural export companies, creating a forum for exchanging experiences and perspectives on the future of the sector.

Among the main reflections, the importance of strengthening legal confidence as a basis for investment and stability in the sector was highlighted, as well as the need to expand access to financial instruments adapted to the particularities of agriculture, where seasonality and cash flows demand specific solutions.

Likewise, the panelists agreed that the future competitiveness of Peruvian agricultural exports will depend on their ability to integrate technological innovation, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability into the management of their operations.

The space allowed for an active exchange with the attendees, who raised questions about the impact of artificial intelligence on agricultural processes, strategies to meet ESG standards, and opportunities to diversify markets in a global context of increasing uncertainty.

During his speech, Juan Pablo Salvadores highlighted the importance of the breakfast in allowing the exchange of experiences and visions on how to strengthen the financial and legal foundations of agriculture:

“Peruvian agriculture has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to compete globally, but its sustainable growth will depend on trust and legal predictability. Spaces like this allow us to connect the experience of producers, financing, and legal advice to build a stronger, more resilient agricultural export sector, better prepared for new international challenges.”

For her part, Cecilia Amador highlighted the positive evolution of the sector:

“We are following an upward spiral of development. Access to financing and a solid legal framework will allow us to consolidate the foundations for the exponential growth that is coming with the new irrigation projects. We still have challenges, especially in the inclusion of small and medium-sized producers, market integration, and the adoption of sustainability criteria, but the potential of Peruvian agriculture is enormous.”

This initiative is part of Araya & Cía. Abogados and ProducePay's commitment to strengthening the Peruvian agricultural export sector, promoting spaces for dialogue that contribute to the competitive development of the industry.

Additional statements:

In his speech, Ángel Manero Campos highlighted the great opportunity that exists to boost agricultural financing at all levels:

“There is enormous potential to expand access to credit, especially for medium-sized businesses and small producers. Only 20% of farmers in Peru have bank accounts, so there are significant opportunities to innovate with new forms of financing. If we add greater formalization, legal stability, and new irrigation projects, we have an ideal framework to sustain the sector's growth in the coming years.”

Sectors with stability and profitability, conditions that Peruvian agriculture has demonstrated to possess:

“Financing flows where there is security, predictability, and profitability, and many sectors of Peruvian agriculture meet these conditions. The challenges lie primarily in the management and organization of small producers. Joining forces and creating collective financing schemes can make access to credit more efficient. Peru has enormous advantages: water, a favorable climate, a strategic location, and great productive capacity; we must know how to showcase them and make the most of them.”

Finally, Alfredo Lira Chirif highlighted the need to continue promoting financing as a pillar of growth:

“Large agro-exporters do not face major difficulties accessing credit, but medium and small producers do face more barriers. It is essential to promote mechanisms that facilitate access to financing at all levels, strengthening the base of the agro-export chain. Peruvian agriculture is at very high levels, but challenges persist in water management, permits, land titles, and institutional strengthening. There will always be room to continue improving and consolidating sustainable growth.”