Peruvian exports to China, the Andean country’s biggest trade partner, rose 28.1% to $5.28 billion in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period last year, according to state news agency Andina.
In the January to September period, China accounted for 16 percent of Peru’s exports, compared to 13 percent for the United States, 12 percent for Switzerland, 9 percent for Canada and 5 percent for Japan.
China overtook the U.S. recently as the top destination for Peruvian exports, as it seeks raw materials to support industrialization projects. China is the world’s biggest consumer of metals, while Peru is one of the world’s top producers of copper, lead, zinc, and other minerals.
Metal exports account for approximately 60 percent of Peru’s total shipments abroad. The Mines and Energy Ministry said Wednesday that metal exports totaled $18.3 billion in the January to August period, up 36.1% from the same period last year.
Copper exports totaled $7.45 billion in the period, a 37.6% increase from the year-ago period. Gold exports brought in $6.33 billion, up 26.3% from the same period last year as higher prices for the yellow metal helped offset lower production.
