Peruvian fresh asparagus exports rebound in 2021

From January to October, Peruvian fresh asparagus exports reached 107,431 tons worth $330 million, reflecting an increase of 13 percent in both volume and value compared to the same period last year, as reported by Agraria.

Prices held steady at $3.01 per kilogram, which were very similar to last year ($3.02 per kilogram). 2020 was a difficult year with border closures and flight restrictions during the first half of the year (more than 80 percent of shipments were made by air).

There were positive results during the second semester, but it was not enough to counteract the fall, although it served to keep the numbers very similar to those of 2019.

From January to July 2021, exports totaled 63,302 tons worth $185 million, 24 percent more in volume and 19 percent more in value when compared to the same period the previous year. This year’s increase in supply has caused a slight contraction in prices of 4 percent, which fell to $2.98 per kilogram.

From August to October, asparagus shipments reached 45,129 tons worth $144 million, 1 percent more in volume and 6 percent more in value when compared to the same period last year.

The results show that exports remain stable and that the dynamic at the beginning of the year was an effect of recovery in the markets and the returns to a slight normality.

According to estimates, asparagus exports at the end of 2021 will total 140,500 tons worth $422 million, which would reflect a growth of 10 percent in volume and value. With this result, Peru would once again position itself as the largest supplier of asparagus in the world, since Mexican asparagus exports are estimated to reach $415 million at the end of 2021, coming in second in the supplier ranking.

The main markets for Peruvian asparagus are the U.S. (with a 72 percent share), the Netherlands (7.4 percent), Spain (7 percent), and the UK (6.9 percent).

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)