China remains Peru's largest copper exporter

Published: May 15, 2025 09:58
[China Remains Peru's Largest Copper Exporter] According to a report on the BNAmericas website, driven by the mining sector, Peru's exports rebounded in Q1. Data from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru showed that copper, gold, and zinc were the main factors contributing to the growth in mineral exports. In February, affected by shrinking demand, Peru's copper exports decreased by 0.4% YoY. However, in March, Peru's copper export value reached $2.58 billion, up 24.7%; in Q1, the cumulative copper export value was $6.62 billion, up 23%. (Webstock Inc.)

According to a report from the BNAmericas website, driven by the mining sector, Peru's exports rebounded in Q1.

Data from Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism showed that copper, gold, and zinc were the main contributors to the growth in mineral exports.

In February, due to shrinking demand, Peru's copper exports fell 0.4% YoY. However, in March, Peru's copper export value reached $2.58 billion, up 24.7% YoY. In Q1, the cumulative copper export value was $6.62 billion, up 23% YoY.

In March, Peru's gold export value was $1.53 billion, up 65% YoY. In Q1, the export value was $4.17 billion, up 53.7% YoY.

In Q1, Peru's total export value of mineral products (metals and non-metals) was $13.3 billion, up 29.1% from $10.3 billion in the same period of 2024. During the same period, Peru's total merchandise export value was $20.6 billion, up 27.3% YoY.

China remained Peru's main export destination for copper. In Q1, Peru's copper exports to China were worth $4.88 billion, up 22.8% YoY.

Meanwhile, Peru exported copper worth $673 million to Europe, followed by Japan ($407 million), South Korea ($237 million), and Brazil ($166 million).

Canada was Peru's main export destination for gold, with an export value of $811 million in Q1, followed by India ($691 million) and Switzerland ($613 million).

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