Peru closed 2024 with record exports, which translated into a foreign trade surplus and an increase in foreign currency in the country. The surplus amounted to 2,2% of GDP and foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 12.177 million, to USD 83.210 million, compared to the close of the previous year. Exports of goods totaled USD 67.558 million in the period January-November 2024. Mining and agriculture were the sectors that contributed most to this growth, with 87%. The three most important export products were gold, copper and blueberries. China accounted for 34% of total exports, the United States 12% and the EU 11%.

What is striking about this development is the development of non-traditional agricultural exports, especially of fresh products. This development will be analysed in more detail in the case of Europe below.

Recent evolution of agricultural exports

Agricultural exports increased by 23% year-on-year to reach USD 11.330 billion (16,5% of total exports) in the period January-November 2024. Exports of fresh blueberries, cocoa and cocoa products, and coffee amounted to USD 2.000 billion (+46,3%), USD 1.200 billion (+203%) and USD 1.000 billion (+46,6%) respectively. While the United States was the largest buyer of fresh blueberries, with USD 1.100 billion, the European Union was the largest buyer of coffee, with USD 450 million, avocados, with USD 750 million, and cocoa, with USD 323 million.

Factors that have contributed to the success of this development

The signing of more than twenty free trade agreements and the growing presence at international fairs such as Fruit Logistica in Berlin and Biofach in Nuremberg are significant at the macroeconomic level.

At the operational level, the so-called “gastronomic commercial strategy” has been successful. Peru is taking advantage of the global popularity of Peruvian cuisine to open new markets for local products. Specifically, in Spain, for example, this is the case:

• Cooperation with restaurants: More than 230 Spanish restaurants work directly with Peruvian producers. These partnerships help to meet the demand of European restaurants for fresh ingredients from Peru.
• Specific customization: Restaurants communicate their specific needs for products such as mangoes, limes and turmeric, allowing Peruvian exporters to optimize their deliveries.
• Optimizing transit times: During peak season, transit time is reduced to 15 days through specialized shipping services, ensuring product freshness.
• Direct market access: Export promoters create links with European importers to organize the supply chain efficiently.

La Piuranita: a grocery store in Zurich

Entrepreneurs Caroll Cárdenas and Myrtha Baca, originally from northern Peru, founded the food import business “La Piuranita” in Zurich last decade. La Piuranita started as a simple food stand at Zurich’s central railway station and grew into a thriving business thanks to high demand and support from suppliers.

The founders describe how their adventure began: “As expats in Europe, we missed the smells and flavours of our childhood, we looked forward to visiting our families in Peru, we came back with a suitcase full of products and wondered with our hearts in our hands whether the customs officials would let us through or whether we would have to pay taxes. That’s why we decided to create the possibility of having the products at hand at all times, without having to wait for the holidays and go through the usual odyssey.”

Since then, “La Piuranita” has been one of the favorite stores of Peruvians and Latin Americans. They offer high-quality Peruvian and Latin American products and always surprise customers with a dish of the varied Peruvian cuisine.

Dissatisfied with their suppliers, a few years ago they decided to take on the import themselves and now receive a weekly shipment of fresh and other products by air. Their clientele is now also well-known in Zurich and Peruvian restaurants in Zurich, Bern, Basel and Geneva also buy their ingredients from them. La Piuranita has understood how to extend the cold chain for fresh products. To do this, it has invested in suitable cold storage to guarantee the freshness of its products.

La Piuranita is proud to be part of the growth inside and outside its countries. This motivates them to continue looking for the best in the Latin American market and to give Europeans the opportunity to enjoy and get to know these exquisite specialties, which they describe as exotic.

Piuranita's vision for the future is to position itself as one of the main suppliers of Peruvian products in Switzerland and Europe. The basis for this is the continuous improvement of service and the expansion of the product range.

The Latin Market of Milan

With around 15.523 (2022) people, the Peruvian community in Milan is the fourth largest foreign community in the city. It is only surpassed by the Egyptian, Filipino and Chinese communities. The northern Italian metropolis is probably home to the largest number of Peruvian restaurants in Italy. The PromPeru portal has 27 on its list.

This development may have created the conditions for the emergence of a “Latin Market” in Milan’s Piazza XXIV di Maggio. This market is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 18.00 p.m. Most of the market stalls are run by Peruvians, who are supplied with Peruvian products by air every week.

Conclusion

Peru’s success in the fruit sector is the result of a comprehensive approach that combines gastronomy, sustainability and the promotion of small businesses. Strategic use of its natural advantages and targeted support for producers have made the country a pioneer in the global agricultural industry. With its commitment to quality and innovation, Peru remains well positioned to further expand its market share, while being a model of sustainable growth.