Global asparagus export market: Mexico and Peru lead the way

Mexico vs. Peru: main exporter characteristics

Mexico’s fresh asparagus exports have been increasing steadily for the past five years in terms of volume. The asparagus shipments from the southern neighbouring country of the US increased from 141,158 tonnes in 2016 to 173,000 tonnes in 2020. If we look at the exports in a ten-year period, the export sector expansion impresses even more. Back in 2010, Mexican agricultural companies exported 83,196 tonnes of asparagus, which represents only half of what was exported in 2020. A surge in exports was possible thanks to the main two interrelated factors: a rise in production and augmenting consumption in the USA, the largest importer of asparagus. According to USDA, fresh asparagus consumption in the country has risen by 41% for the past 10 years and reached 0.83 kg per capita.

Source: ICT Trade Map, Secretariat of Agriculture, Ministry of Economy

Peru’s export has been stable for the past ten years, with deliveries to foreign markets fluctuating from 118,000 tonnes to 132,000 tonnes. Last year’s exports were 125,386 tonnes, a 5% decrease from 2019. The fall in exports is attributed to the COVID pandemic. Lockdowns in the country resulted in low availability of labor force during harvesting, as well as for transportation and packaging.

2021 looks very promising for the fresh Peruvian asparagus exports. The shipments of asparagus from Peru totaled 67,600 tonnes in the first eight months of 2021, which represents an 18% increase year on year. As well as in Mexico’s case, the booster of exports of Peruvian asparagus is high US buying. The second reason is a higher country’s harvest, which is expected to increase by 5% year on year and reach 370,000 tonnes in 2021.

The US has a big appetite for asparagus

99% of the fresh Mexican asparagus is sold to the USA. The share of US in the Peru’s export stricture is 74%. In the case of Mexico, the country has a few important advantages in exports of asparagus in comparison to its South American rival. The geographical proximity of Mexico and the USA allows the vegetable to be delivered faster and at lower costs. The price difference was also one of the main advantages of Mexican exporters. An average price for Mexican fresh asparagus for the US delivery was $2,210/MT in 2020, whereas Peruvian asparagus was sold at $2,730/MT, making the product less competitive.

Source: ICT Trade Map

However, Peru has more diversified destination markets compared to Mexico. In 2020, Spain was the second-largest buyer of Peruvian fresh asparagus in terms of volumes (8,340 tonnes), which accounted for 7% of total shipments. The third and the fourth largest buyers were also European countries. The UK imported 8,044 tonnes or 6.5% of total Peru’s foreign sales. The Netherlands bought 7,894 tonnes or 6% of Peru’s exports.

Sources:

Mexico achieved first place in export of asparagus with more than 173 thousand tons in 2020
Peru: Asparagus Exports Down for the First Time
Sonora is the leading exporter of asparagus in Mexico
Peruvian exports of fresh asparagus grow in volume 18% from January to August 2021