Peruvian asparagus has shown a decline in exports in 2020.

In 2020, Peruvian asparagus exports in all its presentations (fresh, frozen and preserved) totaled 158,317,000 kilos for a value of 488,618,000 dollars, which means a decrease of -8.8 percent in volume and -8.4 percent in value, compared to the 173,800,000 kilos reached in 2019 for 533,292,000 dollars.

Carlos Zamorano Macchiavello, the executive director of the Peruvian Asparagus and Vegetable Institute (IPEH), commented that the main item is fresh, whose shipments in 2020 totaled 119,022,000 kilos for 359,800,000 dollars, compared to 131,700,000 kilos worth 393,700,000 dollars, achieved for the same concept in the last year, showing a decrease of -9.63 percent in volume and -8.61 percent in value.

Shipments of canned asparagus in 2020 reached 31,419,000 kilos for 94,296,000 dollars, when in 2019 they were 32,120,000 kilos for 97,384,000 dollars, presenting a contraction of -2.18 percent in volume and - 3.17 percent in value.

Exports of frozen asparagus in 2020 totaled 7,800,000 kilos for 34,400,000 dollars against 10,100,000 kilos for 42,143,000 dollars in 2019, showing a drop of -22.77 percent in volume, and -18.37 percent in value.

Carlos Zamorano specified that the consequences of the pandemic resulted in an impediment to commercial negotiations, restrictions in the field (the farmers were not working due to the threat of infection), and in the closure of the HoReCa channel in the destination markets. 

Plus, the restrictions on commercial flights and a rise in air freight prices due to the lower frequency of cargo flights (due to high demand) have converted it into a maritime business.