Market Diversification and the Concentration of Peruvian Baby Lima Bean Exports Globally

In the context of international trade, exports of baby lima beans represent a fundamental pillar of the Peruvian economy, with a significant increase in exports in recent years. The growth in exports can be attributed to the quality of the product, its nutritional value and the growing global demand for organic food, particularly in key markets in North America, Asia and Europe. In this context, the article presents an analysis of the diversification and concentration of Peruvian baby lima bean exports worldwide over the past ten years (2014 - 2023), paying particular attention to the concentration of the markets and companies involved. The study employs a quantitative methodology, analysing statistical data related to baby lima bean exports from SUNAT obtained through the VERITRADE trade intelligence tool. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) was used to assess the concentration between destination markets and exporting firms. The results show that the analysis of baby lima beans exports in Peru between 2014 and 2023 reveals fluctuations in both FOB value and net weight, reaching a maximum concentration of exporting firms in 2017 and a trend towards diversification in recent years. However, the number of destination markets remained stable with a slight upward trend. Finally, the HHI of exporting companies showed a clear trend towards diversification, from 3,198 in 2014 to 928 in 2023. Therefore, it is recommended to boost the industry through export strategies that increase added value and diversify markets, strengthening the production chain with sustainable practices.