Agronometrics in Charts: Peru's agricultural exports to hit $5.4B as El Niño looms

Each week, the series ‘Agronometrics In Charts’ examines a different horticultural commodity, focusing on a specific origin or topic and visualizing the trade market factors driving change. Check out our entire archive.

Peru's agricultural exports reached $5.4 billion during the first half of 2026, marking a five percent increase from the same period last year. While avocados remained the country's leading export, blueberries emerged as one of the strongest performers thanks to higher export volumes, improved prices, and an earlier start to the season.

Although export value continued to climb, physical shipments told a different story. Export volumes increased by just under two percent to approximately 2.3 million metric tons, while the average export price rose four percent to $1.08 per pound. The figures indicate that much of the sector's growth during the first half of the year was driven by stronger global prices rather than a significant increase in production.

Hass avocados continued to lead Peru's agricultural exports, generating $1.045 billion, or roughly 19 percent of total agricultural export value during the first six months of the year. Export revenue increased 10.5 percent year-over-year, supported by improved prices as global supplies remained constrained.

Blueberries make their mark in Peru's agricultural exports

Fresh blueberry exports reached $405 million, a 50 percent increase from the same period last year.

Unlike several other commodities that relied mainly on price gains, blueberries achieved growth through both higher volumes and stronger prices.

Export volumes climbed 35 percent to 59,000 metric tons, while average prices improved from $2.79/lb to $3.11/lb. June shipments alone more than doubled compared with the previous year, suggesting the new export season began earlier than usual.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

The report attributes the strong performance to Peru's agricultural expansion in varietal diversity, which has enabled exporters to supply different consumer preferences worldwide while maintaining premium prices despite larger volumes.

Fresh grape exports generated $731 million, increasing 18.3 percent from the previous year despite nearly unchanged shipment volumes. The gains were driven almost entirely by higher prices, with average export values rising from $1.12/lb to $1.30/lb.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

While Peru's agricultural sector delivered a resilient performance during the first half of 2026, the report warns that the industry's biggest test may still lie ahead.

Forecasts continue to indicate the potential development of a strong coastal El Niño event between late 2026 and early 2027. If realized, the weather pattern could disrupt production in key growing regions, affecting major export crops such as grapes, blueberries, and mangoes through delayed harvests, reduced fruit quality, infrastructure damage, and higher logistics costs.

Despite these risks, Peru's agricultural sector enters this period from a position of greater strength than in previous years. The report highlights a more diversified export portfolio, expanded production across multiple regions, improved irrigation infrastructure, advances in plant genetics, and a growing network of export ports.

Together, these developments are expected to enhance the sector's resilience to climate-related disruptions as Peru continues its ambition of becoming one of the world's leading suppliers of fresh produce.

*All images are referential | Graphs courtesy of Agronometrics.

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