Peruvian asparagus exports fall 11% to 6.8 million boxes through week 27

Export volume declines through week 27

Peruvian asparagus exports fell during the first half of 2026, with the country shipping 6.8 million 5 kg boxes to international markets through calendar week 27. The volume was 11% lower than in the corresponding period of 2025, according to the latest statistical report from the Peruvian Asparagus and Vegetable Institute (IPEH), cited by Agencia Agraria de Noticias Peru and Fruchtportal.

The figures indicate weaker export availability during a period in which asparagus remains an important part of Peru’s agricultural export sector. The published data do not identify a specific cause for the contraction. The decline could reflect reduced availability of produce meeting export requirements or changes in the timing and routing of shipments, but the IPEH figures provided do not separate production effects from commercial or logistical factors.

United States retains a 74% share

The structure of Peru’s destination markets remained concentrated despite the lower overall volume. The United States continued to lead, receiving 74% of total asparagus exports through week 27. This makes developments in US demand, purchasing schedules and delivery requirements particularly important for Peruvian growers, packers and exporters.

The European Union ranked second with 16% of shipments. The United Kingdom separately accounted for 6% of export volume and remained a significant European destination. Together, the reported shares show that the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom continued to absorb the large majority of Peru’s international asparagus shipments. The source material does not provide figures for individual EU member states or identify the destinations included in the remaining share.

Sea freight remains the primary route

Maritime transport handled 66% of Peru’s exported asparagus volume, according to IPEH. Air freight represented the remaining 34%. The split confirms that sea routes were the principal distribution channel, even for a perishable product whose commercial value depends on maintaining quality and reaching buyers within defined sales windows.

Air transport remains relevant where rapid delivery is required or where exporters need to serve time-sensitive market windows. However, its smaller share means that most of the sector’s export volume depends on maritime logistics. For producers and traders, the 11% contraction now places attention on whether shipments recover later in the season and whether the established distribution pattern remains stable. The destination and transport shares suggest continuity in market access: the main change reported through week 27 was the amount of asparagus shipped, rather than a major shift away from Peru’s leading markets or its principal freight channel.