DailyEconomic – Lima, July 18 – On the opening day of the 17th International Cocoa and Chocolate Expo, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Bertín Gómez, officially released the latest industry statistics: in 2025, Peru’s total exports of cocoa and derived products surpassed US$1.619 billion, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 26%, with products reaching more than 70 countries and regions worldwide. Peru has now firmly established itself as the second-largest cocoa bean exporter in Latin America and ranks sixth globally in cocoa exports.

The International Cocoa and Chocolate Expo, held from July 16 to 19 at the Lima Convention Center, is the largest professional exhibition covering the entire cocoa industry chain in South America. The event brought together 23 international buyers from 12 countries, along with 12 Peruvian cocoa companies from 9 different producing regions, showcasing value-added specialty products such as single-origin chocolate, organic cocoa powder, and cold-pressed cocoa butter. The international business matching sessions organized by Peru’s Export and Tourism Promotion Commission during the expo have facilitated nearly 200 precise business meetings, with potential total transactions expected to exceed US$10 million.

Unlike traditional major cocoa exporting countries that rely primarily on bulk raw beans, the core competitiveness of Peru’s cocoa industry lies in high-value-added market segments. Peru currently ranks first globally in organic cocoa bean exports. In the Australian market, Peruvian cocoa accounts for 31.76% of the market share, while in premium markets such as Belgium and Japan, Peruvian cocoa FOB prices can reach as high as US$10,600 per ton, far above the global average trading price. During the statistical period from March 2025 to February 2026, the total value of Peru’s cocoa exports increased by US$244 million, with global market share rising from 3.59% to 4.01%. Over the same period, export volume increased by 18,623.95 metric tons, demonstrating a remarkably impressive growth trajectory of simultaneous increases in both volume and price within the global cocoa industry.

Behind these achievements lies the sustained implementation of comprehensive industry-chain support policies by the Peruvian government over many years. The “Export Production Route” special initiative, launched by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, currently covers 193 companies across the cocoa industry chain, distributed across 12 regions of the country, directly benefiting 15,877 farming families, of which 30% of the beneficiary enterprises are led by women or have high levels of female participation. The initiative provides small and medium-sized cocoa enterprises with full-process public technical assistance, ranging from organic certification guidance at the cultivation stage, to equipment upgrading support at the processing stage, and brand promotion services in overseas markets – systematically helping micro, small and medium-sized enterprises meet the access standards of international premium markets.

At the same time, Peru’s parallel “Peruvian Industrial Export” program extends support to ancillary sectors of the cocoa industry chain. At this year’s expo, four Peruvian companies specializing in cocoa processing machinery and specialized packaging materials participated, helping the industry enhance its self-sufficient supporting capabilities and further consolidating Peru’s industrial position as a core supplier of premium chocolate globally.

A representative of the Peruvian Cocoa Producers Association stated at the expo that the unique flavor of Peruvian cocoa stems not only from the exceptionally favorable microclimate conditions of the Andean region, but also from the dedication of generations of growers to traditional varieties. Looking ahead, Peru will continue to deepen its presence in high-value market segments, promote further local processing of cocoa products, and strive for greater global recognition of Peru’s cocoa flavor identity.

Since late 2025, global shipping costs have surged dramatically, causing widespread disruption to import and export trade across Latin America. Freight rates for shipping a 40-foot container from Asia to Latin America have doubled from approximately US$2,213 in 2025 to about US$4,530 as of early July 2026. Some routes have seen even more staggering increases – quotes for a 40-foot container from India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Brazil’s Santos Port have reached approximately US$9,000. Vessel load factors on Asia-Latin America routes are approaching 98%, with severe capacity tightness, frequent space shortages, and cargo rollovers.

The sharp rise in shipping costs is reshaping agricultural export patterns across the region, with Peru’s avocado industry bearing the brunt. As the world’s largest avocado exporter, Peru supplies 85% to 90% of Europe’s avocado market. From January to May 2026, Peruvian avocado exports reached US$795.7 million, with shipment volumes of 406.5 million kilograms. However, the freight surge is eroding exporters’ profit margins. Peruvian agricultural exporters are facing severe logistical challenges – tight container space, sharply rising spot rates, and increased delay risks, all of which could affect product quality and profitability.

Meanwhile, avocado prices in the European market continue to face downward pressure. In week 22 of 2026, the European reference price for Hass avocados size 18 stood at €8.89 per 4kg package, down 21% from the same period last year. Heavy arrivals of Peruvian avocados, coupled with smaller supplies from Mexico and South Africa, have kept prices under pressure throughout June. Industry observers expect July to be a turning point for market dynamics.

Peru’s avocado sector is actively responding to this dual challenge. On one hand, exporters are seeking market diversification. In 2026, Peru plans to increase Hass avocado exports to South Korea by approximately 14%, positioning South Korea as a priority Asian market. However, freight, fertilizer, and fuel costs on the Peru-Asia route remain high, meaning that even with higher export volumes, euro-denominated export prices may stay elevated.

On the other hand, the industry is accelerating product processing upgrades. From January to April 2026, Peruvian frozen avocado exports grew 14% in volume and 32% in value, with per-pound prices commanding a US$0.34 premium over fresh avocado exports. This trend indicates that Peru’s avocado industry is shifting from purely fresh fruit exports toward higher-value processed products.

A DHL report notes that the Latin American freight market is grappling with demand growing faster than logistics capacity expansion, entering a peak-season-like high-pressure environment earlier than usual. In May, Latin American airfreight volumes rose 20% year-on-year, with average rates increasing 27%. Major shipping lines such as Maersk have already announced peak season surcharges of US$1,000 per container on Far East-Latin America routes.

The travails of Peruvian avocados are but a microcosm of the challenges facing agricultural exporters across Latin America. From Chilean cherries to Ecuadorian bananas, perishable agricultural exports across the region are under the twin pressures of rising transport costs and capacity constraints. Analysts point out that with shipping costs unlikely to retreat in the near term, Latin American exporters must accelerate supply chain optimization, market diversification, and product upgrading to maintain competitiveness in global markets.

Peru is pushing forward with unprecedented efforts to develop its lithium and uranium resources, aiming to go beyond its traditional role as a producer of copper, gold, zinc, silver, and tin, and become a key link in the global critical minerals supply chain.

Earlier this year, the Peruvian government issued a supreme decree officially designating lithium and uranium as strategic national minerals. The decree states that lithium and uranium are core strategic minerals that underpin the global energy transition, the industrialization of new energy vehicles, energy storage systems, and smart city development, with steadily rising geopolitical and economic value worldwide. Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, in coordination with the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation, held the first International Forum on Lithium and Uranium on July 7‑8 in Lima, under the theme “Lithium and Uranium: Energy Pillars for Peru and Global Mining, High‑Tech Industries, and Smart Cities.” Backed by the national decree, the forum served as a core platform for connecting Peru with global capital and technology in the critical minerals sector.

Peru’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Valdir Ayasta Mechaín, said at the forum that Peru cannot be a bystander in the global energy transition; it must become a protagonist. “Our goal is for more companies to invest in these projects, always under strict environmental and social standards, so that Peru’s geological potential translates into more investment, jobs, and sustainable regional development,” said Ayasta. He emphasized that the real challenge lies not only in extracting resources but also in knowledge creation, technology upgrading, and value addition.

Peru’s lithium and uranium resources are concentrated mainly in the Macusani plateau in the Carabaya province of the Puno region, near the border with Bolivia. Currently, there are three key projects in the area: the Falchani and Quelcaya projects focused on lithium, and the Isibilla project focused on uranium. The Falchani project has entered the stage of semi‑detailed environmental impact assessment, and the Quelcaya project has already obtained an environmental permit for exploration.

These projects are held by Canadian‑listed American Lithium through its subsidiaries. Falchani is one of the world’s largest hard‑rock lithium and caesium deposits, and Macusani is the largest undeveloped uranium project in Latin America. Estimates indicate that the Falchani project has proven and indicated resources of approximately 5.53 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. An updated preliminary economic assessment shows a post‑tax net present value of over US$5.11 billion and an internal rate of return of 32 percent. The project is planned to be developed in phases, with an initial annual production of 23,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate and stable‑phase capacity rising to 41,000 tonnes per year, over a mine life of more than 26 years.

The President and Chief Operating Officer of American Lithium said that Peru’s national‑decree recognition of lithium and uranium as strategic minerals is a milestone policy for the country’s mining development, confirming the company’s judgment of the value of Peru’s high‑quality resources.

Analysts point out that traditional lithium resources in South America are highly concentrated in the “lithium triangle” of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Peru had previously lagged behind due to factors such as vague policies and long permitting timelines. The new decree, which simultaneously establishes the strategic status of both lithium and uranium, is expected to attract foreign mining investment, improve the upstream raw material supply chain for lithium‑ion batteries and nuclear power, and reshape the global supply landscape for hard‑rock lithium and uranium. With Lima hosting the 27th World Mining Congress in the second half of this year, Peru is likely to further consolidate its position as a Latin American hub for lithium and uranium resources.

CELAC News – A group of 12 U.S. states, led by California, filed a lawsuit on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking to block Paramount Skydance Corporation’s roughly $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The legal challenge represents the biggest obstacle yet for what would be the largest merger in Hollywood history.

The states that joined the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, speaking at a press conference in front of the iconic Hollywood sign, said the illegal merger of the two entertainment giants would lead to higher prices, lower content quality, and fewer movies and television shows.

“Competition is the lifeblood of a healthy, vibrant economy. It pushes companies to do their best work, to constantly innovate, and to offer fair and reasonable prices,” Bonta said at the news conference. “In this country, no one is above the law. With this lawsuit, California and our sister states are fighting for a free and fair marketplace, not a rigged one.”

The complaint alleges that the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act of 1914, which prohibits acquisitions that may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. The California Attorney General’s office noted that if approved, the combined company would control nearly one-third of all theatrical film releases and nearly one-third of all cable television programming in the United States. In the nationwide wide-release motion picture distribution market, the two companies currently hold a combined share of approximately 27%.

The acquisition would also place two major news organizations — Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN and Paramount Skydance’s CBS — under the same corporate umbrella. The complaint argues that the merger would weaken competition in areas such as theatrical film distribution, high-grossing movie releases, and licensing of cable television channels.

Paramount Skydance quickly responded to the lawsuit, calling it “fundamentally misguided in its interpretation of antitrust law and wrong on both the facts and the law.” The company said it would “vigorously defend the transaction and demonstrate that this challenge does not square with sound competition policy or the competitive realities of the media market.” Paramount also accused the states of a hidden attempt to protect streaming giants like Netflix.

Notably, President Trump has supported the deal. The U.S. Department of Justice gave the merger a “green light” last month, concluding that it would likely enhance rather than harm competition. Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery voted to approve the acquisition agreement on April 23, and the transaction was originally expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

However, the deal has faced opposition from multiple fronts since its announcement. In addition to the 12-state antitrust lawsuit, the British government has also previously indicated it might challenge the transaction on media diversity grounds. Moreover, more than 5,000 Hollywood industry professionals have signed a petition against the acquisition. The California Attorney General’s office had already announced an investigation into the deal in February.

Bonta said the coalition has asked Paramount and Warner Bros. to suspend the merger pending judicial proceedings, adding that “if they do not agree, the coalition will seek a temporary restraining order.” If the transaction is delayed, Paramount Skydance could face a hefty cost — according to filings with U.S. securities regulators, if the merger is not completed by September 30, Paramount would have to pay shareholders a “ticking fee” of 25 cents per share, totaling approximately $650 million per quarter.

U.S. media widely believe that if the roughly $111 billion deal is ultimately completed, it would have profound implications across the U.S. entertainment, media, and other related industries.

Industry association warns extreme heat and erratic rainfall threaten production, though growers are better prepared than in past events

SÃO PAULO — July 13, 2026. The Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (Abic) has warned that the intense heat and erratic rainfall brought by the El Niño phenomenon could slash Brazil’s record expected coffee harvest by as much as one-fifth. Brazil’s National Supply Company (Conab) had previously forecast total production of 66.7 million bags (each weighing 60 kg) of arabica and robusta coffee for this year. Abic Executive Director Celírio Inácio da Silva said: “We are now talking about crop losses of 15% to 20%. In a normal year this might be within expectations, but under the current scenario, it is very bad news.”

Despite the gloomy outlook, coffee growers are better prepared than during previous El Niño events, thanks to technological advances that have produced more climate-resilient crops. Da Silva noted: “We have made significant progress and can now plant and harvest more efficiently.” In recent years, growers have rapidly expanded irrigation systems to bolster resilience against climate risks, investing heavily in such technologies to reduce reliance on increasingly erratic rainfall. Even so, El Niño is still expected to disrupt the biological cycle of the crop, particularly during the flowering period in the second half of 2026. Experts say extreme heat and irregular rainfall could lead to uneven or failed flowering. Wellis Caixeta, coffee procurement manager at the Expocacer cooperative in Minas Gerais state, said: “Uneven maturation creates quality problems and makes harvesting more difficult.”

The 2023–2024 El Niño, combined with heatwaves and irregular rainfall, had already reduced Brazil’s 2024 coffee harvest from the government’s initial forecast of 58.8 million bags to 54.2 million bags. Arabica beans, despite being in a positive biennial cycle, saw production increase by only 0.2%, while conilon productivity fell by 5.9%. Luís Carlos Bastianello, president of Cooabriel, Brazil’s largest conilon coffee cooperative, said that Espírito Santo state – the country’s largest producer of conilon – is also facing erratic weather this year, with longer intervals between rains and more concentrated downpours. Growers in the state fear El Niño could extend dry spells and extreme heat into January 2027, disrupting bean filling. Bastianello pointed out: “High temperatures are the biggest risk for severe crop losses. Conilon metabolism slows above 27°C and stops entirely at 35°C. Damage from heat is often greater than from water shortage itself.” Brazil’s Central Bank Governor Gabriel Galípolo has identified El Niño as one of the important risk factors affecting future inflation trends.

Project valued at US$20 million faces strong opposition from social organizations on environmental and legal grounds

The government of Uruguay’s eastern Treinta y Tres Province has recently launched a controversial port construction project—the Cebollatí Logistics Hub (Nodo Logístico Cebollatí, NLC). The project aims to leverage the waterways of Laguna Merín to open up a new logistics corridor and reduce agricultural export costs for the region. However, even before construction has begun, it has drawn strong opposition from multiple social organizations over environmental, legal, and social concerns.

Project Background: Leveraging the Laguna Merín Waterway to Open an Eastern Export Corridor

Uruguayan producers have long called for the country to make full use of the natural connection between Laguna Merín and Brazil’s Laguna de los Patos via the Canal San Gonzalo, enabling exports through Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil.This vision made substantial progress in January 2023, when then-President Luis Lacalle Pou met with Brazilian President Lula in Montevideo. Lula committed to advancing the dredging of the waterway, while Uruguay undertook to build a new bridge over the Río Yaguarón.However, severe flooding in southern Brazil in early 2024 delayed the project, and the dredging tender was only recently completed.

Against this backdrop, the Treinta y Tres provincial government initiated a land-use change procedure, planning to reclassify approximately 40 hectares of land on the banks of the Cebollatí River—about 8 kilometers from the mouth of Laguna Merín, near La Charqueada—from agricultural to rural industrial use. This site is the proposed location for the Cebollatí Logistics Hub.

Project Plan: Multimodal Hub with Total Investment Reaching US$50 Million

According to project technical documents, the Cebollatí Logistics Hub plans to build a multipurpose inland river port terminal and a supporting logistics industrial park. The core objective is to combine road and water transport for bulk and container cargo, making it a key node on the Laguna Merín waterway.

Initial project investment is US$20 million, with total investment reaching US$50 million upon completion of subsequent phases. The port will feature a reinforced concrete berth dock with an initial length of 60 meters, expandable in stages, dedicated to inland barge operations. Onshore facilities will include container yards (including reefer containers), grain silos with a capacity of 8,000 cubic meters, a 7,110-square-meter timber yard, open and enclosed warehouses, administrative offices, customs facilities, and weighbridges.

The project is expected to create approximately 60 direct jobs and 180 indirect jobs. The logistics hub will primarily serve the transport of rice, grains, forest products, and agricultural, industrial, and mineral materials from the region.

Supporters: Lowering Logistics Costs and Revitalizing the Eastern Economy

Supporters argue that the project will open up a new logistics corridor for Uruguay’s northeastern region, which has long struggled to attract industrial and agricultural investment due to high transport costs. The inland waterway connection will allow Uruguayan products to be exported through Brazil’s Rio Grande and Porto Alegre, enhancing the competitiveness of multiple production sectors. The project will also promote the intensification of agricultural and forestry development across the region.

Opponents: Environmental, Legal, and Social Triple Obstacles

However, the project faces strong opposition from social organizations. On the environmental front, the opposition group “Hue Miri” Assembly released a document stating that the Cebollatí River and Laguna Merín can no longer bear additional load, and that dredging will stir up pollutants from years of accumulated fertilizers and agrochemicals.The project is also located within a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve and adjacent to the “Isla del Padre” nature reserve in Rocha province, making it ecologically highly sensitive.

On the legal front, opponents point out that under Decree No. 128/2026, the project site falls within “wetlands of significant environmental importance,” where changes in land use are prohibited.

On the social impact front, the project will directly affect the livelihoods of approximately 100 families (about 400 people) who rely on artisanal fishing. In addition, the project will negatively impact community ecotourism and the recreational spaces of local residents. Opponents also fear that archaeological and historical heritage—including indigenous mounds (Cerritos de Indios), burial sites, places of ancestral memory, and underwater heritage—will be destroyed.

Project Response: Acknowledging Environmental Impact, Committing to Mitigation Measures

In its statements, the project proponent acknowledged that the logistics hub will generate a series of significant environmental impacts requiring mitigation measures and ongoing monitoring.To address the region’s frequent flooding, the project plans extensive earthworks and the construction of embankments to raise the site elevation.At the same time, the project will attract a large volume of heavy truck traffic, increasing accident risks on national and rural roads, as well as combustion emissions and noise and vibration pollution. The proponent also acknowledged that the surrounding environment will shift from a rural agricultural and pastoral landscape to one oriented toward logistics, port, and industrial uses, potentially introducing silos, docks, ships, and other visual elements. However, the proponent believes this could create new visual interest and will not seriously harm traditional tourism activities on nearby Isla del Padre.

Currently, the Treinta y Tres provincial government is advancing the land-use change procedure, and the project proponent has submitted a port construction permit application to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP). How to balance economic development against environmental protection will be key to whether the project can ultimately proceed.

As a heavyweight in the global business world, Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim Helú and his family continued to hold the title of Latin America’s richest person in 2026.

Staggering Wealth: According to the Forbes 2026 Billionaires List, Slim’s net worth reached $125 billion**. In real-time data, this figure even peaked at **$126.1 billion.

Global Ranking: This level of wealth firmly places him among the top 20 richest people in the world in 2026.

Source of Wealth: His fortune primarily stems from his control over telecom giants América Móvil and Telmex, while he also has extensive holdings in Mexico’s infrastructure, consumer goods, mining, and real estate sectors.

Economic Impact: Reports indicate that his personal net worth is equivalent to approximately 6.7% of Mexico’s gross domestic product (GDP), underscoring his immense influence on the country’s economy.

Certainly. Here is the English translation of the previous response regarding the 2026 Latin American Rich List Top 10.

2026 Latin American Billionaires Top 10

Based on public data from Forbes and other sources in 2026, the top ten billionaires in Latin America come primarily from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. Their wealth is concentrated in telecommunications, mining, finance, and technology.

• Overwhelming dominance at the top: Carlos Slim Helú holds a fortune of $125 billion, which grew by 51% in one year. His net worth is equivalent to approximately 6.7% of Mexico’s GDP.

• “Dark horses” and soaring fortunes: Germán Larrea Mota‑Velasco saw his wealth surge by 134% in a single year. Alejandro Baillères Gual also doubled his family’s wealth.

• Newcomers and tech power: The presence of Eduardo Saverin (co‑founder of Facebook) and David Vélez (founder of Nubank) highlights the wealth‑creating power of the technology sector in Latin America.

• Women in the ranks: Iris Fontbona and María Asunción Aramburuzabala are prominent female representatives on the list.

• Argentina: Paolo Rocca ($7.3 billion) became the country’s new richest person, followed by **Marcos Galperin** ($7.2 billion) in second place.

• Colombia: Luis Carlos Sarmiento has a fortune of approximately $9 billion.

• Mexico: Ricardo Salinas Pliego saw his wealth shrink significantly to $3.7 billion.