Peruvian agricultural exports are expected to increase between 20% and 25% this year, totaling US$6 billion from US$5.79 billion in 2016, estimates Agricultural and Irrigation Minister Jose Hernandez.
Among last year’s highlights in terms of export performance were blueberries, which went up 148%, followed by fresh and dried tangerines (144%), ethyl alcohol (57%), unroasted coffee (31%), fresh avocados (31%), among others, according to data from Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry (Minagri).
Peruvian products captivated 142 countries last year and their largest export market was the United States, which accounted for 31% of total exports, followed by the Netherlands (14%), Spain (6%), Germany (5%), UK (5%), Ecuador (4%), Colombia (3%), Belgium (3%), Canada (3%) and Chile (3%).
Hernandez presented agro-export sector’s perspectives after the launch of Agroprospero Plan, an initiative to help agricultural activity grow up to 5% a year through 2021, which is to bring down by half rural poverty rates and increase farmers’ families incomes.
“This will result in fewer poor farmers, as it will mean more money in their pockets, and agriculture will become more and more financially beneficial,” he said.
Some strategic programs that operate under Agroprospero Plan include Serviagro, Sierra Azul, Agrojoven, Seed Program, Forestry Program, Directorate-General for Livestock Farming, National Center for Agrobiodiversity Genetic Resources, Agrobanco, among others.
“They are all yielding decisive results to boost agriculture, making it more and more modern and inclusive,” the minister indicated.
One of the sector’s goals this year, through Agroprospero, is to see agricultural GDP rise from 3% to 3.5% (it stood at 1.8% in late 2016) through Minagri programs across the country.
Agroprospero promotes joint work between 25 regional and local governments through effective cooperative mechanisms that lead to strengthen agriculture, livestock, forestry, resulting in a better quality of life for small producers.
(END) CNA/CAN/RMB
Published: 2/19/2017