Cocoa Bean Monthly Update (Peru) 2026-02

The Association of Exporters (ADEX) has called for enhanced institutional coordination and strengthened public sector support to protect Peru’s agro-export sector from the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, including disease outbreaks and infrastructure damage. In 2025, agro-exports reached $14.55 billion, with blueberries, coffee, grapes, avocados, and cocoa comprising over 45% of total export value. ADEX emphasized the importance of maintaining technical staff, accelerating water infrastructure projects, and ensuring a stable legal framework to sustain growth. The National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) plays a critical role in phytosanitary surveillance to protect upcoming harvests. Additionally, ADEX highlighted the need to diversify export markets amid evolving trade policies, welcoming new trade agreements and ongoing negotiations with key countries.

Nestlé Ecuador's Shared Value Creation model integrates economic growth with social welfare and environmental sustainability, focusing on the agri-food sector. Key initiatives include the Cocoa Plan, benefiting over 7,500 farmers across 11 provinces with sustainable cultivation on 34,000 hectares and full traceability. The company also supports youth employment and education through programs impacting more than 370,000 young people and promotes healthy habits among children via its Nescuelita educational space. Additionally, Nestlé Ecuador's Circularity strategy has recovered over 12,000 tons of plastic and supported more than 750 grassroots recyclers. This approach aims to enhance productivity, social development, and environmental protection, with goals such as achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and advancing the circular economy.

A potential weak to moderate coastal El Niño could cause daily economic losses exceeding S/291 million across seven Peruvian regions, heavily impacting the agri-food industry. Agricultural losses may reach S/64.2 million daily, particularly in La Libertad and Ica, while traditional fishing, especially anchovy production for fishmeal and fish oil, faces significant export risks due to reduced catches and increased operational costs. The agri-export sector, including fruits and vegetables like blueberries, grapes, avocados, mangoes, and citrus, is at medium risk from quality and logistical disruptions caused by intense rains. The report highlights the vulnerability of 1.9 million people living in poverty in these regions and urges the development of contingency logistics plans and continuous monitoring of climatic and productive indicators to mitigate impacts.

Ucayali's non-traditional exports contracted by 23.4% in 2025, totaling $104.7 million compared to $136.6 million in 2024, with the agro-industrial sector accounting for 77.3% of the supply. Key products such as bulk cocoa, which represented 52% of the region's exports, fell sharply by 38.7% in value and volume, dropping from 11,000 tons in 2024 to just over 6,000 tons in 2025. Palm oil and various tropical wood products also contributed significantly to the regional export portfolio but experienced declines alongside the forestry sector, which fell by 19.8%. Ucayali ranked 14th among regions exporting non-traditional products nationally and second in the Selva region after San Martín. To address these challenges, the Association of Exporters (ADEX) is promoting human capital development through fully funded scholarships aimed at strengthening youth capabilities in foreign trade and related fields.

Ucayali's non-traditional exports contracted by 23.4% in 2025, totaling US$104.7 million compared to US$136.6 million in 2024, driven primarily by declines in the agro-industrial and forestry sectors. Agro-industry, which accounted for 77.3% of exports, fell 24.7%, with bulk cocoa—the leading product—dropping 38.7% in value and volume. Forestry exports also decreased by 19.8%, highlighting challenges in the regional export structure. To address this downturn and boost competitiveness, ADEX Escuela joined the SELCOSI Scholarship program to fully fund professional education in international business, logistics, and marketing for youth in Ucayali, emphasizing practical training linked to the export sector. Ucayali ranked 14th among Peru's non-traditional export regions in 2025, holding 0.5% of total exports, and second among Amazonian regions after San Martín.

The Agrarian Cocoa Cooperative Acopagro successfully sold 3,000 tons of organic cocoa beans at the BIOFACH and CHOCCOA fairs, with all of its 2026 production already sold due to strong demand in Europe. Despite a price drop from US$12,000 to US$3,000 per ton, organic cocoa remains attractive to chocolatiers because of its quality, aroma, and fair trade certification. Acopagro achieves higher yields than the national average, expecting to surpass 1,000 kilograms per hectare in 2026 through international cooperation and fair trade premium investments. The cooperative urges regulatory bodies to control non-permitted inputs to protect crop quality and meet increasingly strict European standards, including upcoming EUDR regulations restricting products from deforested areas. With global cocoa production recovering, Acopagro emphasizes differentiation through organic practices, pest control, and fertilization to maintain competitiveness.

In 2025, Ucayali's total exports dropped 23.4% to US$104.7 million from US$136.6 million in 2024, driven by a 24.7% contraction in agro-industrial exports to US$80.9 million, which accounted for 77.3% of the region's shipments. The forestry sector also declined by 19.8% to US$23.2 million. Bulk cocoa remained the top export product despite a 38.7% decrease in value to US$54.5 million and a 45.45% drop in volume from 11,000 to just over 6,000 tons. Other notable agro-industrial exports included palm oil (US$14.8 million) and various tropical woods. Ucayali ranked 14th among Peru's non-traditional export regions, holding 0.5% of the total, and was second in the Selva region after San Martín.

At Biofach 2026 in Germany, Promperú led 26 Peruvian companies to achieve $60 million in business expectations, a 20% increase over 2025, underscoring Peru's role as a key supplier of organic superfoods in Europe. The showcased products included quinoa, maca, ginger, turmeric, cocoa, coffee, and various dehydrated fruits, meeting growing global demand for certified organic and functional foods. Peru remains the world leader in quinoa exports, with shipments reaching $151.19 million in 2025, a 13.37% increase from 2024, alongside a higher average price of $2.77 per kilogram. Promperú's participation facilitated new business opportunities and strengthened commercial ties, supported by collaborations with organizations like Rainforest Alliance to enhance market access and sustainability credentials for Peruvian agro-exports.

TAMSHI, Peru's leading cocoa producer and agroforestry pioneer, participated in the International Chocoa Fair in Amsterdam, strengthening commercial ties with buyers from Europe, Asia, and North America. The company highlighted the high quality and unique sensory profile of Loreto cocoa, cultivated under sustainable agroforestry systems with minimal cadmium levels and full traceability, meeting strict EU standards. TAMSHI's model integrates cocoa with native forest species, promoting biodiversity conservation and responsible agriculture. This participation underscores Peru's growing role as a top ten global cocoa producer, with cocoa expected to be a key agro-export by 2025, supporting over 100,000 families nationwide.

Ucayali's non-traditional agri-food exports fell 23.4% to US$104.6 million in 2025, with cocoa and palm oil leading the sector, which accounted for 77.3% of exports. The forestry sector also contracted by 19.8%. In response, ADEX School, in partnership with the SELCOSI scholarship program, is offering fully funded training in international business, logistics, and digital marketing to young people from Ucayali, emphasizing practical foreign trade skills. Cocoa beans exports dropped 38.7% to US$54.4 million, while Ucayali ranked 14th nationally in non-traditional exports and second in the Selva region. Key regional companies include Agro San Gerardo S.A.C. and Sol de Palma S.A., highlighting the area's agri-industrial and forestry activity.