The recent Annual Regional Trade Report of Ucayali from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) once again brings good news for the region, having reached an export record in 2022 of US$ 124 million, which represents growth 40% compared to 2021.
This new record was mainly due to palm oil exports, which have grown steadily, becoming the first good exported by the region (60% of the total), and making Ucayali the first oil palm producer nationwide. .
It should be noted that in recent years oil palm has become one of the main drivers of economic growth in the Peruvian jungle, using only 0.1% of the total area of the Peruvian Amazon. This shows that it is not a risk for the forests, but rather it is the best alternative to protect them by generating better economic conditions for farmers and rooting them to their land.
In this regard, Michael Spoor, general manager of Ocho Sur, a business group dedicated to the sustainable production of oil palm products and derivatives in Ucayali, expressed his satisfaction with this economic milestone for the region and the oil palm sector, the same as has been possible thanks to Ocho Sur’s investment in the region.
“Since the beginning of our operations in 2016, we have focused on creating a new model of sustainable economic development that improves the living conditions of thousands of Peruvians in the Amazon, protects the Amazon forest, the environment and biodiversity,” he said. the senior official of Ocho Sur.
Michael Spoor also highlighted that oil palm has proven to be an effective tool in the fight against illegal coca leaf crops and other illicit activities whose rapid growth represents a serious risk for the country.
