Peru: Trade balance widens in December

Peru’s trade balance recorded a USD 1.1 billion surplus in December, widening from November’s revised USD 733 million surplus (previously reported: USD 586 million surplus) but lower than the USD 1.2 billion surplus recorded in the same month of last year. The reading represents the best result in six months.

Exports declined 7.4% year-on-year in December, following November’s much softer 0.7% fall. Meanwhile, imports dipped 5.3% annually in December, following November’s 3.3% contraction.

In the 12 months leading up to December, the trade surplus was USD 7.1 billion, slightly below November’s USD 7.2 billion.

Peru Trade Balance Forecast

Panelists participating in the LatinFocus Consensus Forecast see exports growing 5.1% in 2019 and the trade balance recording a surplus of USD 5.0 billion. For 2020, the panel sees overseas sales expanding 4.8% and a trade surplus of USD 4.5 billion.