Peru Precious Metal Ores HS261690 Export Data 2025 Q1 Overview

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export: Key Takeaways

Peru's Precious metal ores (HS Code 261690) exports in 2025 Q1 reveal extreme geographic concentration, with China absorbing 99% of volume and value—highlighting high supply chain risk. The uniform pricing (around $2.52/kg) suggests bulk commodity dynamics, while secondary markets like Malaysia and India show limited diversification potential. This analysis, covering 2025 Q1, is based on verified Customs data from the yTrade database.

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export Background

What is HS Code 261690?

HS Code 261690 covers precious metal ores and concentrates, excluding silver, which are critical raw materials for industries like electronics, jewelry, and renewable energy. These ores, including gold and platinum group metals, drive global demand due to their use in high-value manufacturing and investment markets. Peru, a major exporter, supplies these ores to meet steady international demand, particularly from industrial and financial sectors.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In 2025 Q1, Peru’s HS Code 261690 exports are influenced by updated trade rules under the EU-Colombia-Peru-Ecuador agreement, which revised product-specific origin requirements to align with HS 2022 classifications [European Commission]. While U.S. tariff exemptions primarily target agricultural goods, the broader trade environment remains favorable for Peruvian exports, including precious metal ores. Peru’s strategic role as a key global supplier underscores the need for market vigilance, especially amid evolving trade policies and commodity demand shifts.

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Peru's Precious metal ores exports under HS Code 261690 in 2025 Q1 reached a total value of approximately 1.08 billion USD and a volume of 428.63 million kg, demonstrating significant monthly swings within the quarter.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The data shows a sharp decline in February, with value dropping to 246.91 million USD and weight to 111.82 million kg, before rebounding strongly in March to 490.42 million USD and 171.77 million kg. This pattern aligns with typical mining export cycles, where production schedules and shipment timings often lead to intra-quarter volatility. The average price per kg increased from January to March, indicating potential upward pressure on global precious metal markets or improved demand conditions.

External Context and Outlook

External trade developments played a role in shaping the export environment. The US implemented a 10% baseline tariff effective April 2025 [[Peru | Likely impact from US tariffs

• EY Tax News](https://taxnews.ey.com/news/2025-0905-peru-likely-impact-from-us-tariffs)], which may have prompted anticipatory adjustments in Q1 shipments. Looking ahead, updates to the EU-Peru trade agreement (EY Tax News) could influence future export flows under HS Code 261690, though Q1 operations remained broadly stable amid these broader policy shifts.

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Peru's export market for Precious metal ores under HS Code 261690 in 2025 Q1 is completely dominated by a single product type. According to yTrade data, the sole sub-code is Precious metal ores and concentrates excluding silver, accounting for all export value and volume with a unit price of 2.51 USD per kilogram, indicating a highly specialized trade focus.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

With only one product category present, the export consists entirely of raw, unprocessed ores, classifying it as a fungible bulk commodity. This structure points to a market driven by volume and standard grades, with prices likely tied to global commodity indices rather than product differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For exporters in Peru, this concentration in a bulk commodity suggests limited pricing power, as outcomes depend on international market fluctuations. Strategic efforts should prioritize operational efficiency and leveraging trade agreements to maintain competitive access, though no direct policy changes from 2025 Q1 news specifically impact this HS code.

Check Detailed HS 261690 Breakdown

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In 2025 Q1, Peru's exports of Precious metal ores under HS Code 261690 were overwhelmingly dominated by CHINA MAINLAND, which accounted for 99.16% of the weight and 99.10% of the value. The minimal difference between value and weight ratios suggests uniform pricing, typical for bulk commodities, with an estimated unit price around 2.52 USD per kilogram.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners form three clusters: China as the primary bulk buyer due to its massive industrial demand for raw materials; Malaysia and India as secondary sources with smaller, consistent shipments, likely serving regional refining or niche markets; and South Africa with negligible presence, possibly reflecting trial shipments or specific ore varieties not yet scaled.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Peru's heavy reliance on China for Precious metal ores exports in 2025 Q1 highlights supply chain vulnerability to demand shifts or trade disruptions. Diversifying into markets like the EU, where trade agreements [EU Taxation and Customs Union] offer stable terms, could mitigate risks and tap into growing regional demand for mineral resources.

Table: Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Peru Precious metal ores Export market for 2025 Q1 under HS Code 261690 shows extreme concentration, with high-value and high-frequency buyers dominating 99.17% of the trade value. This segment handles over 96% of the quantity and represents the core of the market, indicating a few major players drive most exports. The overall market is characterized by frequent, large-scale transactions typical for commodity products like precious metal ores.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining three segments of buyers play minor roles. High-value but low-frequency buyers contribute a small share, likely representing occasional bulk purchases from specialized or backup suppliers. Low-value high-frequency buyers are regular but small-scale participants, possibly testing or supplementing supply chains. Low-value low-frequency buyers are infrequent and negligible, often one-off or experimental engagements that have little impact on overall trade dynamics.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Peruvian exporters, the strategy should focus on nurturing relationships with the dominant high-value buyers to secure stable revenue, but this creates vulnerability to demand shifts or loss of key clients. Diversifying into the smaller segments could mitigate risks, though their low shares offer limited upside. The recent US tariff exemptions on Peruvian exports [USDA Foreign Agricultural Service] and updated EU trade rules (European Commission) support a favorable export environment, emphasizing the need for agile sales models that leverage these agreements while managing dependency on major buyers.

Table: Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) Key Buyer Companies (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Precious metal ores Buyer lists

Peru Precious Metal Ores (HS 261690) 2025 Q1 Export: Action Plan for Precious Metal Ores Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Peru Precious metal ores Export 2025 Q1 under HS Code 261690 is a bulk commodity market. Price is driven by global indices and standard ore grades. There is no product differentiation. Supply chains are vulnerable due to extreme concentration. China buys 99% of volume. A few major buyers dominate trade. This creates high exposure to demand shifts or trade disruptions. Exporters must prioritize operational efficiency and market diversification to reduce risk.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Precious metal ores Market Execution

• Use real-time trade data to track global price indices and adjust sales timing. This maximizes revenue by selling during price peaks.
• Analyze buyer frequency patterns to anticipate order cycles and prevent inventory overstock. This improves cash flow and storage cost management.
• Leverage EU and US trade agreement terms to target new buyers in diversified markets. This reduces dependency on single-country demand shocks.
• Monitor competitor export volumes and routes to identify untapped regional demand. This captures market share before competitors expand.
• Engage with low-frequency buyers through tailored offers to build a broader client base. This cushions against loss of major accounts.

Take Action Now —— Explore Peru Precious metal ores Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Peru Precious metal ores Export 2025 Q1?

The 2025 Q1 export market saw sharp monthly volatility, with a February drop followed by a March rebound, reflecting typical mining cycles. Price increases suggest rising global demand or tighter supply conditions for bulk precious metal ores.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Peru Precious metal ores Export 2025 Q1?

China dominates with 99.1% of export value, while Malaysia and India serve as minor secondary markets. South Africa’s negligible share suggests experimental or niche shipments.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Peru Precious metal ores Export 2025 Q1 partner countries?

Uniform pricing at ~2.52 USD/kg confirms this is a bulk commodity trade, with no differentiation in ore grades or processing levels across destinations.

Q4. What should exporters in Peru focus on in the current Precious metal ores export market?

Exporters must prioritize relationships with high-value buyers (99.17% of trade) while diversifying to mitigate overreliance on China. Operational efficiency is critical due to commodity-driven pricing.

Q5. What does this Peru Precious metal ores export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Chinese buyers benefit from stable bulk supply, while secondary markets like India/Malaysia face limited leverage due to Peru’s heavy China focus. Buyers should monitor global commodity indices for price shifts.

Q6. How is Precious metal ores typically used in this trade flow?

The exports consist entirely of unprocessed ores (HS 261690), destined for industrial refining or further processing into precious metals.

Detailed Monthly Report

Peru HS261690 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Peru HS261690 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB

Peru HS261690 Export Snapshot 2025 MAR