Peru: Fresh Peruvian onions fell in value despite increased demand in some markets.

Onions were affected by the drop in average prices in February. Fresh product exports totaled 17,799 tons, valued at US$7.69 million, representing an 11% increase in volume but a 6% decrease in value. This reduction was accompanied by a 15.5% drop in average price, which stood at US$0.43 per kilogram.

This month, the product reached 13 destinations, with Spain consolidating its position as the main market for Peruvian onions, displacing the United States in second place. 6,116 tons were shipped to this market, valued at US$3.14 million, representing a 41% share. Although volume grew 6%, the value of exports decreased 3%, reflecting a 9% adjustment in the average price, which stood at US$0.51 per kilogram. Among the main Peruvian exporters supplying this market were Novoliz SA (17%) and Alpa Sweet EIRL (16%), of which Novoliz remained the main supplier, as it was last year.

In second place, the United States imported 5,493 tons of Peruvian onions worth US$2.52 million. This represented a 7% contraction in volume and a 25% contraction in value. The 19% drop in the average price, which reached US$0.46 per kilogram, contributed to this decline. Agrilor SAC led shipments to this country, with 30% of its production destined for this market, compared to 12% in 2024. In second place was Agroexportadora Virgen del Carmen SAC, with a 13% share.

Rounding out the top spot is Colombia, which saw growth in Peruvian onion imports, with 4,713 tons purchased for a value of US$1.32 million. This represented a 161% increase in volume and a 221% increase in value compared to February 2024. The average price in this market was US$0.28 per kilogram, a 23% increase. Among the agricultural exporters that stood out in this market were Importadora y Exportadora Agrotranscomex EIRL, with a 20% share, and JC Agro Comercializadora EIRL, with a 13% share.

Peruvian onion shipments in February were mainly made through the General San Martín – Paracas Port Terminal (53%) and DP World (36%), followed by APM Terminals (10%) and Euroandinos Port Terminals (2%).

Overall, the decline in onion prices, coupled with lower demand in the United States, affected the total export value. However, growth in Colombia and stability in Spain suggest a potential market diversification in the coming months. If this trend continues, exporters may seek to consolidate their presence in emerging markets to offset their dependence on the United States and price volatility.