The total volume of Peruvian exports grew by 17.7% in August of this year compared to the same month in 2025, driven by traditional products, which grew by 20.9% in volume, particularly from the mining sector, which had the greatest impact on this result, as reported today by the head of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), Gaspar Morán Flores.
Based on the technical report "Evolution of Exports and Imports," he specified that, in the first eight months of 2026, the total volume of FOB exports registered a growth rate of 6.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
This performance was determined by transactions of traditional mining, agricultural, oil and natural gas products, as well as non-traditional products from the fishing, chemical, agricultural, and metalworking sectors.
During the eighth month of 2026, the exported volume of traditional products increased by 20.9% compared to the same period in 2025, supported by the dynamism of mining shipments, which showed a positive variation of 19.6% compared to the level recorded in August 2025.
Copper remained the metal with the highest external market demand; in real terms, it totaled 2,056.8 million dollars, representing a 25% increase compared to the same month of the previous year. Regarding destination countries, shipments to China and Japan stood out, with 75.4% and 8.4% participation, respectively.
Other shipments that showed an increase were gold (12.9%), lead (33.5%), iron (33.2%), tin (4.3%), and refined silver (46.4%).
In contrast, zinc exports decreased (-14%) compared to the same month of the previous year.
In August 2026, the exported agricultural volume rose by 7.8%, reversing the declines recorded in June and July of this year, particularly for coffee (3.1%).
Oil and natural gas exports registered a strong year-on-year increase of 104% due to sales of petroleum derivatives (48.6%) and natural gas (395.2%).
During August 2026, the export volume of non-traditional products increased by 10.3% compared to the same month of the previous year, explained by the positive performance of the fishing (66.8%), metalworking (10.3%), agricultural (9.5%), iron and steel (8.1%), and chemical (6.6%) sectors.
The fishing sector showed a growth rate of 66.8% and accumulated 12 months of continuous growth, supported by the dynamism in sales of frozen mussels and scallops (82.6%), cuttlefish and squid (160.6%), and canned fish (44.8%).
Shipments from the metalworking sector rose by 10.3%, driven by increased sales of parts for cranes, bulldozers, and earth-moving machinery (165.3%) and parts for machines for classifying, crushing earth, stone, or solid mineral (70.1%).
Agricultural sector shipments increased by 9.5%. Among the most prominent products are blueberries (49.7%), avocados (26.5%), and other citrus fruits (20.2%).
Likewise, shipments from the iron and steel sector increased (8.1%), particularly unalloyed zinc (20.4%) and refined copper wire (1.4%). The chemical sector rose by 6.6%. The products that showed higher demand were undenatured ethyl alcohol with an alcoholic strength greater than or equal to 80% by volume (29.1%) and polypropylene polymer plates (34.5%).
Conversely, exported volumes from the non-metallic mining sector (-7.9%) and textile sector (-0.6%) decreased.
On the other hand, in August 2026, imports registered a year-on-year increase of 5.9%, driven by the growing domestic demand for consumer goods (13%), raw materials and intermediate products (6.2%), and capital goods and construction materials (0.9%).
Between January and August 2026, the imported volume increased by 16.6% compared to the same period of the previous year due to higher purchases of capital goods and construction materials (21.9%), consumer goods (23.5%), and raw materials and intermediate products (9.9%).
In the month under analysis, consumer goods imports grew by 13% compared to the same month in 2025, supported by the dynamism of purchases of both durable goods (19.2%) and non-durable goods (8.3%).
Among durable consumer goods, assembled automobiles (40.3%), other vehicles (68.9%), and automobiles with piston engines or 4x4 SUVs (18.4%) stood out.
Among non-durable consumer goods, concentrated milk and cream in powder, granulated or solid (201.2%), medicines for oncological or HIV treatment for retail sale (75.5%), and beauty, makeup, and skin care preparations (31.6%) were prominent.
During August 2026, the imported volume of raw materials and intermediate products rose by 6.2% compared to the level recorded in August 2025.
This result was explained by the increased entry of fuels, lubricants, and related products, particularly diesel B2 (315.1%), followed by raw materials and intermediate products for agriculture, such as soybean oil extraction cakes and other solid residues (56.1%) and animal feed preparations (32.9%).
Conversely, raw materials and intermediate products for industry declined by 1.2% after six months of positive performance. This result was due to lower local demand for durum wheat except for sowing (-26%) and yellow corn (-2.8%).
In the month under analysis, INEI specified that the imported volume of capital goods and construction materials grew by 0.9% compared to the August 2025 level, driven by higher purchases of capital goods for industry.
Imports of capital goods for industry rose by 5.9%, explained by the increase in purchases of smartphones (5.2%), data processing machines weighing 10 kg or less (3.4%), self-propelled drilling or boring machines (591.7%), and loaders and front-end loaders (43.9%).
In contrast, capital goods destined for agriculture decreased by 51%, mainly due to lower imports of crawler tractors (-34.5%).
Likewise, transport equipment that showed lower imported volumes included diesel vehicles for cargo transport exceeding 20 tons (-19%) and tires used in construction and mining vehicles and machinery (-21.2%).
Similarly, the acquisition of construction materials decreased (-4.3%), particularly iron or steel foundry constructions and parts (-11.9%) and ceramic plates and tiles (-43%).
