Due to the rise in international prices, Peruvian coffee shipments abroad totaled US$436.2 million in the first half of 2022, achieving an increase of 331% over the same period last year (US$101.2 million), informed the vice president of the Coffee and Cocoa Committee of the Association of Exporters (ADEX), José San Martín Tudela.
According to ADEX, the price increase is due to weather events in Brazil, the world’s leading producer of aromatic beans. “It suffered a heavy frost and two droughts, which is why the price of a quintal went from US$120 to US$250 last July,” said San Martin Tudela.
This situation was capitalized on by other countries such as Peru because, in the face of lower supply, prices rose considerably, which is why when looking at the figures, it is observed that in the amount of US dollars (USD) Free on Board (FOB) grew 331% and 176% in volume.
San Martin mentioned that producers continue to face problems caused by rust (a fungus affecting cereal grains), damaging the fields for years. “We are living with this plague and trying to control it to reduce losses,” he said.
In this regard, he highlighted the work of the National Institute of Agrarian Research (INIA), which seeks to identify seed varieties more resistant to diseases and climate change without Peruvian coffee losing its own characteristics and offering higher productivity per hectare.
After highlighting the importance of renewing coffee plantations that are at least 20 years old -he recommended prioritizing those in the central jungle of the country- the vice-president of the Coffee and Cocoa Committee of ADEX asked to promote the cultivation and the local industry, to strengthen the capacities of the members of the chain and to avoid the irregular exit of our bean abroad.
DISPATCHES
Regarding exports in the first half of the year, of the total (US$436.2 million), about 15% (US$64.5 million) were organic coffee, and the remaining 85% (US$371.7 million) were conventional coffee.
The main product was unroasted and non-decaffeinated coffee, with smaller amounts of roasted non-decaffeinated coffee beans, unroasted decaffeinated coffee, roasted ground non-decaffeinated coffee, coffee extracts, and roasted, decaffeinated coffee.
The most predominant markets were the United States and Germany, representing 45% of total shipments; others were Belgium, Colombia, Sweden, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, all with three-digit growth.
With information from Portal Portuario