Peru Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in peru, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Agriculture Sectors
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Overview

Peruvian agricultural exports worldwide have grown remarkably in the last few decades, from just $645 million in 2000 to an estimated $10.5 billion in 2023.  Peru has also quadrupled its high-value export farmland to nearly 200,000 hectares, creating at least 1 million jobs.  This success stems from ideal coastal weather, advanced technology, as well as sound policies like the former Special Labor Regime for Agriculture, which unlike the general labor regime, allowed temporary employment to meet seasonal needs.  The law encouraged formal employment in the agricultural sector, granting benefits to workers, and created numerous opportunities for women, who now account for about 25 percent of the workforce.  However, in late 2020, after a month of tension and civil unrest by agricultural labor groups, Peru’s Congress repealed and replaced the Special Labor Regime for the agricultural sector.  The then-newly adopted Agrarian Law mandated a 30 percent wage increase, required agricultural enterprises to pay tax rates equal to other sectors of the economy, and introduced additional labor and tax-related changes.  This likely slowed investment in the sector.  However, it is likely that agricultural exports will continue to attract investors in the short-to-medium term.

Production

Note: Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Imports) – Exports  

Peru wheat production is estimated at 200,000 metric tons (M.T.) in 2023; mainly soft wheat, which is consumed directly in soups and purees.  Wheat processed into flour for bread and pasta is imported (duty free but with an 18 percent value added tax).  The U.S. accounted for 12 percent in 2022, and Canada, the largest supplier, 50 percent. 

Table 1: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Hard Wheat (1000 MT)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 191177 212205
Total Exports  00 00
Total Imports  2,0142,269 1,9862,047
Imports from the U.S.  301296 217253
Total Market Size * 2,2052,446 2,1982,252

 

Peru imports corn mainly from Argentina; 93 percent in 2022.  Yellow corn in Peru is used mainly for poultry, and at 54 kilograms annually per capita, poultry consumption is one of the highest in the region.  Corn is duty-free from all origins.  Peru does generally implement a price band system but not to U.S. corn under the rules of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA).  Another U.S. export prospect is distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). 

Table 2: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Yellow Corn (1000 MT)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production  1,2711,1271,2711,233
Total Exports  00 00
Total Imports  3,9693,802 3,6623,583
Imports from the U.S.  1,176711 56687
Total Market Size * 5,2404,929 4,9334,816

 

Peru imports soybean meal primarily for poultry feed.  Bolivia was the leading soybean meal exporter to Peru in 2022.  Soybean meal from all origins enters Peru duty-free.  

Table 2: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Yellow Corn (1000 MT)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 11 11
Total Exports  00 00
Total Imports  1,3051,343 1,4701,384
Imports from the U.S.  161302 10327
Total Market Size * 1,3061,344 1,4711,385

Cotton production in Peru is estimated at 16,000 metric tons in 2023, up 8 percent from 2022.  Cotton imports into Peru are expected to reach 68,000 metric tons in 2023, up 13 percent from 2022.  The value of cotton exports reached $1.5 billion in 2022.  The U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) grants duty-free access to Peruvian textiles.

Table 4: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Cotton (1000 MT)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 227615
Total Exports  00 00
Total Imports  48345160
Imports from the U.S.  4834 5160
Total Market Size * 70415775

Peru produced 175 million liters of ethanol fuel in 2022 and the country has a blend mandate of 7.8 percent.  This mandate coupled with attractive European Union market prices have encouraged production in Peru in the last several years.  Fuel ethanol imports in 2022 were 168 million liters, mostly from the United States.

Table 5: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Ethanol (MM Liters)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 173150173175
Total Exports  170131138130
Total Imports  190152181168
Imports from the U.S.  190152181168
Total Market Size * 193171216213

Total whey imports decreased 1.4 percent in 2022.  The United States is the second largest supplier of whey to Peru in terms of volume and U.S. exports grew 10 percent from 2021.   The whey market has varied over the last three years, driven mainly by price, and local sources have reported similar volatility in 2023 based on demand from the food processing industry and growth in demand for animal feed.

Table 6: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Whey (MT)
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production0000
Total Exports0000
Total Imports9,86511,33611,54611,382
Imports from the U.S.2,2881,7502,2462,470
Total Market Size*9,86511,33611,54611,382

Half of Peru’s raw milk production is used by cheese manufacturers, mainly artisanal producers.  The food processing and food service industries are the leading destinations for imported cheese products, which account for 7 percent of the market.  The consolidation of franchises and new players in the market are driving growth and the United States, the largest cheese exporter to Peru, increased its exports by 3 percent in 2022 from 2021.

Table 7: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Cheese (MT)
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production131,980132,700133,429132,000
Total Exports542466480481
Total Imports8,2357,51410,25510,640
Imports from the U.S.3,0652,2633,0523,152
Total Market Size*139,673139,748143,204142,159

Peru’s beef and offal market decreased slightly in 2022.  Peru’s beef production and consumption are some of the lowest in South America, with an annual per person consumption rate of 6 kilograms.  However, economic growth over the last 15 years has driven consumer preferences toward high-quality products.  The U.S. is the third largest beef and offal supplier, accounting for 22 percent of imports by volume.

Table 8: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Beef and Offal (MT)
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production208,970200,218201,690202,715
Total Exports331000
Total Imports25,34328,39128,64025,113
Imports from the U.S.6,6208,5609,1735.579
Total Market Size*234,280228,599230,330227,828

Dog food drives Peru’s pet food market with 78 percent.  However, cat food is growing in popularity with 20 percent.  The remaining two percent is for birds, fish, and small mammal/reptiles.  Three companies control approximately 70 percent of the market: Rinti SA, Nestlé SA, and Molitalia.  Sales via delivery is an essential channel for premium, therapeutic, and wet products.  However, inflation has impacted the sales of imported pet food.

Table 9: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Pet Food (MT)
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production239,000230,000261,000274,000
Total Exports1,9381,8686,2232,887
Total Imports25,39625,53134,73826,149
Imports from the U.S.5,6165,1685,8423,819
Total Market Size *262,458253,663289,515297,262

Peru imports pulses from the United States and Canada.  About 80 percent of pulses are sold in warehouse districts where pulses are displayed and sold in bulk.  Wholesalers then distribute pulses all over Peru through distributors, packers, and government programs.  The category will continue modernizing and the traditional channel is expected to shrink by eight percent in the next five years.

Table 10: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Pulses (MT)
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production271,00027,000287,000295,000
Total Exports28,00023,00040,00041,000
Total Imports99,000152,000111,00095,000
Imports from the U.S.33,00053,00046,00022,000
Total Market Size *342,000156,000358,000349,000

Poultry is by far the largest livestock industry in Peru, producing nearly 65 million broilers monthly with a flock of about 30 million layers.  The United States is the second largest poultry meat supplier to Peru at 25 percent of imports, mostly frozen chicken leg quarters; however, in 2022, an avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the United States impacted poultry supplies and lowered exports to Peru, especially turkey products.

Table 11: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Poultry Meat (1000 MT)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 2,1502,102 2,1362,196
Total Exports  1001
Total Imports  657110487
Imports from the U.S.  33243628
Total Market Size * 2,2142,1732,2402,282

Pork production in Peru has grown steadily in the last decade on rising domestic demand and improved production, though COVID-19 and feed costs have slowed growth since 2020.  Peru has low annual consumption compared to the rest of South America at 10kg per person annually.  Peru also imports pork for retail and processing, with volumes increasing over five years; U.S. exports have remained steady but have fallen behind Brazil, Chile, and Spain.

Table 12: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Pork Meat (1000 MT)  
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 231227235242
Total Exports  0000
Total Imports  9698
Imports from the U.S.  7532
Total Market Size * 240233244250

Peru’s apple production is concentrated in the region of Lima.  Imports represent almost 25 percent of the apple market and Chile is the largest supplier with 90 percent of imports.  The United States is a distant second; however, during the trade window from November to early March, U.S. apples are predominantly alone in the market.  In 2022, United States apple exports to Peru decreased due to higher prices stemming from lower production yields.

Table 14: Production, Supply, & Distribution (PS&D) Code: Apples & Oranges (1000 MT) 
 2019202020212022
Total Local Production 145140143146
Total Exports  0000
Total Imports  49524343
Imports from the U.S.  6963
Total Market Size * 194192186189

Peru’s construction sector, expected to recover in 2023 following a 10 percent contraction the year prior, drives the demand for and consumption of wood and wood products.  Peruvian imports comprise mainly of Wafer Board, Particle Board, Softwood lumber, Plywood, and Oriented Strand Board (OSB).  In 2022, Chile (24%), Ecuador (21%), Brazil (13%), the PRC (18%), and Spain (8%) dominated Peru’s imported forest products market.

Table 15: Product Statistics & Data (PS&D) Code: Forest Products (USD Millions) 
 2019202020212022
Total Exports 12184119120
Total Import 260266366341
Total Imports  49524343

Resources 

Asociación Peruana de Porcicultores (Pork Producers Association)  

Pomalca 351 Urb. Centro Comercial Monterrico, Surco Lima – 33, Perú 

Tel.: (511) 436-3729, 436-4168 

E-mail: info@asoporci.org.pe 

Guillermo Vidal, President; Ana Maria Trelles, General Manager 

Asociación Peruana de Avicultura (Poultry Producers Association) 

Av. Esmeralda 255 Chacarilla del Estanque, San Borja Lima – 33, Perú 

Tel.: (511) 372-1540 

E-mail: apacomunicationes@apa.org.pe 

Julio Favre, President; Mario Berrocal, General Manager

Asociación de Ganaderos Lecheros del Peru (AGALEP) (Dairy Producers Association) 

Mateo Pumacahua No. 877, Oficina 306 Jesus Maria Lima– 11, Peru 

Tel: (511) 423-4642 / (501) 431-0549 

E-mail: agalep@infonegocio.net.pe 

Nivia Vargas, President

Comité de Molinos de Trigo (Wheat Millers Committee) 

Los Laureles 365 San Isidro Lima – 27, Peru 

Tel.: (511) 616 4444, ext. 131 and (511) 442-2460 

E-mail: adaly@sni.org.pe 

Alejandro Daly, President 

U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) 

(U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru) 

Unit 3230, Box 381 

DPO AA 34031 

Tel: (511) 618-2491, 434-3042 l Fax: (511) 434-3043 

Email: Aglima@fas.usda.gov 

Staff: 

  1. Gilbert, Regional Agricultural Counselor 
  2. Bryant, Regional Agricultural Attaché 
  3. Nolte, Senior Agricultural Specialist 
  4.  Loza, Agricultural Marketing Specialist 
  5.  Camacho, Agricultural Assistant 

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. - MS 1071 

Washington, D.C. 20250 

Western Hemisphere Area Director, Office of Foreign Service Operations 

Tel: (202) 720-3223; Fax: (202) 720-5183 

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Foreign Agricultural Service 

Trade Assistance and Promotion Office 

Tel: (202) 720-3935