Peru becomes South America’s top fruit exporter, overtaking Chile

Peru is set to take the lead in South American fruit exports as early as 2025, surpassing Chile, which has historically held this position. The conclusion is based on a report by the General Directorate of Agricultural Policies of the country’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri).

Based on data from agricultural exports between 2012 and 2022, the study estimates that Peruvian shipments will reach US$ 10.194 billion in 2025, exceeding the US$ 9.979 billion forecast for Chile. The report, titled “Evolution of Agricultural Exports of Chile and Peru until 2024,” highlights that Peru’s agricultural trade has grown by an average of 11% per year, nearly double the 6.1% recorded by Chile.

In 2024, Peru was already very close to its southern neighbor, with agricultural exports totaling US$9.185 billion, compared to Chile’s US$9.403 billion. This growth is mainly attributed to the performance of Peru’s fruit sector, which recorded an annual growth rate of 19.6% between 2010 and 2024, compared to 6.8% in Chile.

Peru’s agricultural highlights include blueberries and avocados, whose exports have far exceeded those of Chile. For grapes, the gap is smaller, but if weather conditions are favorable, Peru could become the world’s largest exporter in 2025.

In the vegetable sector, Peru’s dominance is even more significant, accounting for 83% of the region’s exports, compared to just 17% for Chile. Although the growth rate is more moderate (3.9% per year versus 1.5% in Chile), the volumes exported are considerably higher.

Overall, Peru is projected to become the world’s fifth-largest fruit exporter in 2025, surpassing Chile and trailing only the Netherlands among global leaders. Within Latin America, the current top exporters are Mexico, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica; however, regional South American leadership is expected to shift to Peru soon.

Despite increasing competition, the report highlights the interest of companies from both countries in forming strategic alliances to tackle international market challenges together — through lower logistics costs, shared promotional campaigns, and product diversification.

The dynamism of Peru’s agricultural sector has been driven by its preferential access to strategic markets, such as the U.S., its resilience to adverse climate events, and the growing global demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. However, the report warns of potential risks, such as changes in trade policies, extreme weather events, and weaknesses in infrastructure and international relations.
In 2022, global fruit exports reached a record US$ 137 billion, according to UN data. In this context, Peru’s rise is reshaping the global landscape and reinforcing South America’s role in the international fruit trade.

Source: Supply Chain Magazine

Sharing is caring!