Trade between Peru and Asian nations totaled US$7.646 billion in the first three months of the year, thus growing 23% over the same period in 2016, Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL) reported.
Said result translated into a positive trade balance for the Inca nation, as exports to Asia (US$4.490 billion) exceeded imports (US$3.156 billion) by US$1.334 billion.
Growing exports
Such increase was driven by greater shipments of Peruvian products, which saw a 63% rise (US$1.743 billion) from the same period in 2016.
In turn, the growth of exports was mainly underpinned by the mining sector, with zinc (+131%), iron (+126%), copper (+80%) and gold (+58%) posting the best results.
Exports to Asia were also boosted —to a lesser extent— by non-traditional shipments, which outperformed 2016 results for the same period by US$58 million.
Imports
On the other hand, products imported by the Inca nation from Asian countries dropped 10% (US$337 million).
According to CCL, the decline is explained by weaker purchases of capital goods and construction materials —40% of Peru's imports— which decreased by 23% (US$374 million).
However, imports of intermediate goods reached US$923 million in the analyzed period, thus expanding 3%.
Similarly, consumer good imports hit US$927 million (+0.8%).
Lastly, CCL affirmed imports from Asia had seen a significant drop in the past five years and mainly in the first quarters of each year.
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