Keys to exporting olive oil to Peru

Growing demand for premium food and the absence of tariffs on European olive oil make the Peruvian market an opportunity for Catalan companies looking to diversify their exports in Latin America.

Peru is establishing itself as a market with opportunities for Catalan olive oil producers and exporters. With a stable economy, a growing middle class and increasing interest in healthy, quality products, the country offers a favourable environment for marketing extra virgin olive oils. Added to this is a competitive trade framework, with zero tariffs on olive oil from the European Union, which eases market access.

A Market Insight produced by Prodeca's LATAM office analysing the main logistical, regulatory and commercial aspects that companies should consider before starting or consolidating their export activity in Peru.

An accessible market with established logistics

Peru has a well-developed logistics infrastructure that facilitates the distribution of imported products.The port of Callao, handling more than 40% of container traffic and over 70% of the country's general cargo, is the main gateway for goods from Europe. The ports of Paita, Pisco and Chancay also stand out, the latter set to become a major logistics hub between Asia and Latin America.

As for air transport, Jorge Chávez international airport in Lima is the main entry point for international cargo thanks to its infrastructure and specialist customs processes.

Health requirements and documentation

To market olive oil in Peru it is essential to meet various administrative and health requirements. Chief among these is obtaining health registration from the Directorate General of Environmental Health (DIGESA), as well as holding the corresponding certificates of analysis and labelling adapted to local regulations.

Labelling must include, among other things, the product name, country of origin, net content, best-before date, storage conditions and the details of the importer in Peru. In addition, all information must be written in Spanish.

The report also sets out the specific requirements for sending commercial samples, particularly useful for companies in the market-entry phase.

Commercial advantages

Economically, one of the main attractions is that European olive oil enters Peru with a 0% tariff under the trade agreements in force, with only the General Sales Tax (IGV) of 18% applying.

The report also notes that the most common commercial terms are the FOB and CIF Incoterms, and that the letter of credit remains the most widely used payment method in international transactions, especially where there is not yet an established commercial relationship between buyer and seller.

Market intelligence to support internationalisation

The guide forms part of the Market Insights produced by Prodeca to support decision-making by Catalan agri-food companies. These reports provide practical information on commercial opportunities, market access requirements, consumption trends and logistics, with the aim of supporting companies through their internationalisation. This line of work forms part of Prodeca's strategy of developing market intelligence tools and generating specialist knowledge for the Catalan agri-food sector.