The Netherlands strengthens its position as the leading destination for Peruvian avocado exports
Peru maintains its position as the second largest avocado exporter in the world with an increase of US$284 million over the previous year. In 2024 Peru experienced significant progress in Hass avocado production and exports, although it faced particular challenges that shaped its results and future prospects.
Peru consolidated its position as the second largest avocado exporter in the World only after Mexico, registering a 79.2% growth in volume at the beginning of the season 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year. This is due to the growth in imports from major importers such as the Netherlands, China and Hong Kong, Spain and Chile. However, the Peruvian avocado industry faced challenges due to adverse weather conditions, mainly due to the coastal El Niño phenomenon. A shorter version of the phenomenon that impacts only South America and caused intense rains and high temperatures on the Peruvian coast, affecting production of different crops and raising international prices in 2024. Continuing with the current trend, Peruvian agro-exports are expected to grow by around 2% in 2025, with blueberries [1] as the main product, followed by table grapes and avocados, while products such as cocoa and coffee could experience declines.
[1] Blueberries: A Blue Desert on The Peruvian Coast | Nieuwsbericht | Agroberichten Buitenland
In 2024 Peru has broken its record for agricultural exports, reaching US$12.4 billion in 2024. The Netherlands remained the second destination for Peruvian agrarian exports with US$1.8 billion and the first destination for Peruvian avocados with US$409 million exported.
With international concerns, also in the Netherlands, over the availability and distribution of freshwater the LAN team in Peru is working closely together with the Water Stewardship initiative. This collective action initiative started in 2023, when 10 EU and UK retailers and traders, 5 Peruvian agro-exporters, 3 civil society organizations, and the Dutch Government through the Partners for Water programme joined forces. The aim is to build a more resilient value chain through responsible water management. By moving beyond the field boundaries in which for example avocados, asparagus and blueberries are produced, the initiative effectively connects international and local value chain partners, local governments, and communities to address water management challenges at a catchment scale. Awareness raising on water availability, use as well as on the distribution of water in the region is a primary objective of this initiative. This enables the region to make plans also for the future, as well so as to conduct agriculture in a sustainable manner. Ultimately this initiative aims to develop a value chain approach for sustainable production that can be replicated in the many areas of the world where food production and water use are at risk due to climate change.
To date, the project has managed to improve water retention and protect biodiversity with 68 km of ditches and 9,000 native tree species planted, embedding interventions in a water stewardship plan for the future and improving livelihoods of local communities.
Dutch companies or knowledge institutes interested in exploring opportunities in the Peruvian avocado industry are invited to contact our agricultural advisor in Lima, Salvador Orrego de la Borda: salv.orregodelaborda@minbuza.nl / lim-lvvn@minbuza.nl