Peru can become a logistics bridge between Brazil and the Asia-Pacific region

Peru could become a connectivity bridge between Brazil and the Asia-Pacific markets. To achieve this, it will be key to leverage the available infrastructure in the northeastern macro-region and finalize pending investments, stated Edgar Vásquez Vela, director of the Center for Research on Global Economy and Business of the Association of Exporters (Cien-Adex).

"If achieved, northern Brazil could reduce its logistics times by up to 22 days," he emphasized.

He made this statement during his presentation 'Perspectives and Opportunities for Loreto's Foreign Trade', within the framework of the Economic Meeting – Loreto Region – organized by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) – expressing that this dynamic would open new commercial possibilities for both nations.

"The development of this bioceanic corridor would boost investments in that part of the country, revitalize local economies, and generate employment. Furthermore, it would open a growth space for logistics-related services, such as packaging, certification, storage, and distribution," he explained.

"Despite facing significant competitiveness and infrastructure gaps, Loreto possesses unique conditions to become a strategic node within this regional integration platform, leveraging its location in the Amazonian axis," he added.

He also indicated that companies located in northern Brazil currently use longer and more expensive routes that cross the Panama Canal and skirt a large part of the continent when they want to procure goods.

In his presentation, Vásquez Vela detailed that the northeastern region is made up of Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martín, Ucayali, and Loreto, which together account for 52.5% of the national territory and 30.5% of the population (10.4 million).

He added that in 2025, they jointly contributed approximately 0.8 percentage points to national economic growth, and that five of the nine regions – Cajamarca (7.5%), Lambayeque (6.1%), Piura (4.6%), Loreto (4.2%), and Amazonas (4.1%) – registered growth higher than the national average of 3.4%.

Likewise, they accounted for 19.1% of the total value of Peruvian shipments to the world, equivalent to 17.372 billion dollars; and five of its nine regions sent more non-traditional products, showing progress in diversifying their offerings and generating greater added value.

Of the total exported last year to Brazil (430 million dollars), 58% was transported by river (249 million dollars), which highlights the importance of enhancing this mode of transport.

"It is the only macro-region in the country that uses this route in its trade with that country," he emphasized.

The director of Cien-Adex highlighted that proximity to the South American giant can help expand the presence of national offerings and deepen regional integration.

In this regard, he emphasized the importance of leveraging existing river, maritime, air, and land infrastructure, as well as IIRSA Norte and other logistics nodes, to consolidate bioceanic corridors that facilitate commercial exchange.

However, he warned that to achieve this objective, it will be essential to advance in the elimination of non-tariff barriers, the negotiation of new sanitary protocols, and the reactivation of investment projects that strengthen multimodal connectivity and deepen the Peru-Brazil bilateral agreement, strengthening anti-corruption clauses.

"We have a historic opportunity. The northeastern region is already a driver of growth and foreign sales. Now it is time to make decisions that will convert this potential into well-being, employment, and development for millions of compatriots," he concluded.

In 2025, gold, blueberries, and coffee were the three main products exported by the northern macro-region. From Loreto, crude petroleum oils and Residual 6 were dispatched.