RegionPress

PERU’S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS HIT NEW RECORD OF US$ 1.3 BILLION IN JAN-JULY 2008

Peru’s agricultural exports hit a new record in the January-July period of 2008 reaching US$ 1,3 billion, an increase of 30.1 percent compared to the same period in 2007 (1 billion), reported today Peru’s Ministry of Agriculture (Minag).

The volume of agricultural exports increased to US$ 318 million as a result of strong international demand for high-quality products at competitive prices and thanks to a joint effort between the Government and private sector.

According to the General Directorate for Agrarian Information (DGIA) of Peru's Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG), 529 tariff items were exported between January and July 2008.

Total agricultural exports reached 914,000 tons, an increase of 23 percent compared to the same period last year (743,000 tons).

In this period, agricultural products were exported to 126 countries, being the United States the most important destination market with 25% (343 million dollars), followed by Holland (US$ 137 million), Spain (US$ 134 million) and Germany (US$ 92 million).

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PERUVIAN ARTISANS FROM CAJAMARCA TO OFFER PRODUCTS IN INTERNATIONAL FAIR

Artisans from the Porcón and Mollepampa communities located in the northwestern Peruvian region of Cajamarca will offer their products in the international craft fair to be held on September 23 in Lima.

Giovanni Huanqui Canto, manager of the Regional Export Committee Cajamarca (Cerx) noted that the artisans will display their best products in pottery, textiles and carved decorations in stone and marble.

Huanqui added that over a hundred foreign buyers are expected to visit this fair which will take place as part of the Third International Conference on Tourism and Handicraft from September 24 to 26 in Lima.

Artisans and craftsmen from all over the country will also participate in the event which aims to place Peruvian crafts and souvenirs on the international market and encourage business contacts between local entrepreneurs and foreign buyers.

To that end, Giovanni Huanqui explained that Cerx will provide technical and commercial assistance as well as have a direct dialogue with the potential buyers.

He mentioned that a group of 90 local artisans have received training in product quality through the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) and with the support of European Union.

At present, most Cajamarca-based artisans offering pottery, jewellery, ornaments, clothes, ceramics and other items, sell their products in Cajamarca and some other cities in the country. (RegiónPress)