Peru lemon exports rise in Q1 2024

Since 2024 began, Peru’s fresh lemon exports have maintained a good pace, with monthly shipments above $5 million.

At the end of the first quarter of the year, Peruvian citrus shipments totaled 15,540 tons for $15.7 million, which meant 10 percent more in volume and 5 percent more in value compared to the same period last year, as reported by AgroPeru Informa.

For its part, the average price fell 4 percent, trading at $1.01 per kilogram, which did not allow the exported value to grow as much.

In this same period, Peruvian lemons reached 15 countries, of which the three that stood out the most were the U.S., with 54 percent participation; Chile, with 11.5 percent; and the Dominican Republic, with 11.4 percent.

Exports to the U.S. totaled 8,077 tons for $8.5 million, which was 9 percent more in volume, but 4 percent less in value than in 2023. This is due to the drop in the price in this market (12 percent lower), which went from $1.19 to $1.05 per kilogram.

As for Peruvian exporters, the leaders were Procesadora Laran S.A.C., with 18 percent participation, and Ecosac Agrícola S.A.C., with 15 percent.