Trade balance benefits from copper price rise
11 November 2018
According to figures published last week by the Central Bank, the value of Peru’s exports rose by 11.5% in the first three quarters of 2018 against the same period last year. The most dynamic sector was the mining industry. The value of copper exports was up 13.5%, accounted for wholly by the rise in prices this year. Exports of zinc and refined silver were also substantially up, though gold exports fell slightly. Copper exports represented 31% of total exports, minerals as a whole 59%.
The trade surplus for the first nine months was just under US$5 billion, compared with US$4.3 billion in 2017. Exports totalled US$36.3 billion (compared with US$32.6 billion last year) and imports US$31.3 billion (compared with US$28.3 billion).