Peruvian exports achieved a new record in 2021, reaching US$56.241 million, a growth of 35% compared to 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reported on Wednesday.

The new figure, which even exceeds those registered before the COVID-19 pandemic, was largely due to the recovery of local production and higher international prices.

For their part, imports last year reached US$ 46.438 million, higher by 37,2%, which allowed the total foreign trade of the Andean country to have added US$ 102.679 million, the “highest historical value”.

"In this way, Peru has growth rates higher than those of Latin America and the world, in addition to a trade surplus in favor of Peru of US$ 9.803 million," the institution highlighted in a statement.

According to the head of Mincetur, Roberto Sánchez, "this milestone" has been possible thanks to exporters, farmers, workers, stevedores and all those who participate in the export chain.

The portfolio detailed that the productive sectors that achieved positive figures in their exports last year were, among others, the metallurgical sector, higher by 75,9%; steel in 74,7%; jewelry in 64,3%; fishing in 34,7%; and mining at 33,5%.

For their part, traditional and non-traditional agricultural exports set "a new record" by reaching US$ 8.874 million, mainly due to the increase in shipments of blueberries by 22%, grapes by 21,6%, avocados (avocado) by 39,7, 11%, mango 10,2%, cocoa and derivatives 3,5%, and asparagus XNUMX%.

Meanwhile, traditional and non-traditional fishery shipments captured US$ 3.865 million, representing a growth of 34,7%, due to the main shipments of scallops at 60,9%, fish at 45%, shrimp at 13,4%. and fish meal/oil at 51%.

The export of the textile/clothing category reached US$ 1.731 million, 68% higher than in 2020, due to the greater sale of cotton products, which grew by 68%; and wool and fine hair products at 65%.

In addition, the dynamism of the mining-energy sector was maintained thanks to natural gas at 220,3%, tin at 134,7%, oil and derivatives at 98,4%, molybdenum at 82,9% and iron at 58,1 %.

Regarding copper, which is the main Peruvian export good, it showed an expansion of 36,7%.

The Mincetur added that Peruvian products reached 170 markets, and the main destinations were China with 33% of the total exported, the United States with 13%, the European Union with 12%, and South Korea and Canada with 5% each. one.