El Niño disrupts Peru’s fruit production as export volumes fall

Peru’s agricultural exports rose 4.8% in value to US$4.52 billion between January and May 2026, but total volumes fell 1% as El Niño began affecting crop production, according to the Association of Exporters of Peru (ADEX).

Abrupt temperature changes are disrupting crop cycles and increasing pest and plant-health risks, said Elkin Vanegas Murillo, president of ADEX’s Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

The effects are already visible in northern Peru’s grape, avocado, blueberry and Kent mango production. Kent mango flowering requires temperatures of around 16°C during the night and early morning, while avocados from Ayacucho are recording dry-matter levels below 22%, affecting their quality and export suitability.

Non-traditional agricultural exports reached US$4.25 billion during the five-month period, up 3.7% in value but down 2.3% in volume. Grapes remained the leading product at US$783.3 million, followed by avocados at US$704.8 million and blueberries at US$359.2 million.

Export volumes fell by 10.8% for mangoes and 0.4% for grapes. Avocado and blueberry shipments increased by 9.5% and 20.9%, respectively. The US and the Netherlands accounted for a combined 54% of non-traditional agricultural exports, followed by Spain, Chile and Mexico.

ADEX called for closer field monitoring, stronger support for small and medium-sized growers and preventive measures to limit further production losses.

source and photo: adexperu.org.pe