Peru’s Booming Exports – Clothing
July has proved a good month for the Peruvian export industry, with Eduardo Ferreyros, the Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister confirming that Peru will soon have thirteen Free Trade Agreements. Furthermore, July saw the director of Prom Peru confirming the worth of Peru Brand, a spiral shaped logo that aims to promote Peru in the export, tourism and investment industries.
The increase in number of Free Trade Agreements should boost the Peruvian economy. Peru already has a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, China, Canada and Singapore amongst others and soon countries within Europe and Central America as well as Japan, the Republic of Korea and Mexico will be added. This will no doubt be of benefit to the chullo industry as Mexico was the largest importer of the traditional Peruvian hat at the beginning of 2011.
In recent years the chullo has become a fashion item across the world and according to the Peruvian Exporters’ Association (Adex) chullos were exported to 22 different countries during the first five months of the year; good news for all those missing Peru or those wishing they had bought an extra chullo or two whilst in Peru. The majority of these chullos have been made out of alpaca wool or a combination of alpaca wool with synthetic materials, such as acrylic. Alpaca is becoming increasingly well known as a high quality material all over the world, so exports of a wide range of alpaca clothing products are expected to increase over the coming years.
Continuing with the rise of Peruvian clothing exports, Peruvian shoe exports to Chile are thriving with exports predicted to grow 30% this year. In 2009, exports of Peruvian shoes to Chile represented only US$228 thousand, but they have rapidly increased year on year to this years predicted $3.3 million. Trujillo is well known in Peru for being the best place to find shoes, with a long history in shoe production.
The demand for high quality Peruvian shoes provides a good opportunity for Peruvian export companies, states The Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL). However, it is not only leather shoes that are being exported from Peru; many countries including the United Kingdom are now importing traditionally designed alpaca and material shoes from Peru.
This rise in Peru’s export industry can only help to boost development. Many business opportunities in this industry await for people who work within the clothing business and many other areas across the South American country.