Fluctuations in Peru's export employment: Agroindustry stands out while traditional sectors contract

Employment in Peru's export sector has experienced ups and downs over the past year, according to a report from the Center for Research on Economy and Global Business (CIEN) of Adex. Despite a 7.2% growth in December, driven mainly by an increase in both traditional and non-traditional agricultural employment, overall employment in 2023 saw a contraction of 4.9% compared to the previous year. In 2023, employment associated with traditional exports decreased by a concerning 11.0%, with traditional agricultural exports, traditional fishing, and hydrocarbons being the most affected sectors with significant declines in the workforce employed. On a positive note, the agribusiness sector remained the main job-generating activity in the export sector, with over 1 million jobs, supported by the growing demand for superfoods such as blueberries, avocados, grapes, asparagus, and mangoes. Furthermore, employment in the non-traditional export sector also experienced a decrease of 0.7%, with the garment, chemical, and metallurgical industries being the most affected in terms of job reduction. Regarding the regional distribution of export-related employment, declines were recorded in 15 out of the country's 25 regions, with the Amazon region, Lima and Callao, and the Andean region being the most affected. However, the coastal region was the only one to see growth of 2.4%, with regions like Pasco, Apurímac, and Moquegua standing out for their dynamism in generating employment associated with exports. In summary, the labor landscape in Peru's export sector during 2023 has been mixed, with fluctuations in different sectors and regions of the country. It is crucial to take measures to boost employment in the most affected sectors and promote sustainable growth in exports to ensure stability and prosperity in labor for the future.