Peru's non-traditional exports to South Korea reached US$196 million in 2017, up by 22.7% over the previous year, the Andean country's Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry (Mincetur) informed.
Said increase was underpinned by higher shipments of chestnuts,
cacao, sacha inchi (a.k.a. Inka peanut), and fresh prawns.
According to Peru's Trade Office in Seoul (OCEX Seoul) Advisor Joan Barrena, Peruvian chestnut exports to the Asian country exceeded US$29 million in 2017, whereas
cacao shipments totaled US$11 million.
Sacha inchi and prawns
Likewise, shipments of sacha inchi and fresh prawns to
South Korea reached US$5 million and US$4.7 million, respectively.
Other Peruvian products that also contributed to said expansion included mung and adzuki beans, fresh asparagus, cochineal, frozen strawberries, flowers, and pisco.
Total exports
Barrena also pointed out Peru's total exports to this Asian country —for the first time— surpassed US$2 billion
in 2017, nearly a 50% rise compared to 2016.
In this sense,
South Korea has become the Inca country's fourth exports destination behind China, the United States, and Switzerland.
(END) RGP/RGP/JAA/MVB
Published: 2/20/2018