Peru: Manufacturing exports grew 34.6% in first semester of 2022

In the first half of 2022, manufacturing shipments reached US$3.5 billion, reflecting an increase of 34.6% over the same period of 2021 (about US$2.6 billion). However, three of its six sectors still do not reach the historical amounts of previous years, according to Peru’s Association of Exporters (ADEX).

In detail, the figure for apparel (US$672 million) is below 2012’s US$737 million, while textiles (US$255 million) is nowhere near 2014’s US$321 million. ‘Miscellaneous’ (includes paper industry, plastics, jewelry, and others), with US$216 million, is below the US$264 million of 2012 (January-June period).

In this context, ADEX’s Manufacturing Manager, Melissa Vallebuona, commented that “the sectors are gradually recovering after facing the consequences of the social restriction measures due to the health crisis. People reduced clothing and footwear purchases for work; cosmetics, perfumes, and other products were seen in the statistics.”

In this sense, he stated that the guild participates in the sectorial tables created in the ministries and held several working meetings with the authorities to make them see the need for timely responses in the facilitation of foreign trade and to advance the pending agenda.

BREAKDOWN

The most important item of manufacturing exports was chemicals (US$1.2 billion), with a positive variation of 40.1% and 32.7% share. Its main items were sulfuric acid, zinc oxide, plates and sheets of propylene polymers, and undenatured ethyl alcohol. Its leading markets were Chile, the United States, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia.

The iron and steel industry (US$909 million) accounted for 25.8% of industrial shipments and grew 35.7%. Its main destinations were Colombia, the United States, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Belgium. Its most exported products were unalloyed zinc, refined copper wire, unalloyed iron or steel bars, and unwrought alloyed silver.

Apparel (US$672 million) closed higher, increasing by 40.9%. Its supply was led by cotton polo shirts, knitted undershirts, and knitted shirts, among others. The United States accounted for 69.1%, followed by Chile, Canada, Brazil, and Germany.

Metal-mechanics (US$313 million) recorded an evolution of 22.1%. Its leading items were parts of machines or apparatus, drilling or boring machines, caps, lids, and capsules for bottles, which went to the United States, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia.

Textile shipments (US$255 million) grew 29%. Fine carded or combed alpaca hair and other dyed cotton knitted fabrics were the most important products. Colombia, the United States, Chile, Italy, and Ecuador stood out for their greater demand.

Finally, the item ‘miscellaneous’ reached US$216 million and increased by 14.32%, landing in markets such as the United States, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. Jewelry, printed advertising, and baby diapers were in the top 3 of its offer.

With information from Portal Portuario