Peru's exports grew 4.8 percent in May from the same month a year ago due to higher sales of copper and zinc, the government said on Tuesday, adding that China was the month's biggest consumer. Peruvian shipments abroad reached $2.04 billion in May, a high for the year, according to the state Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism (Promperu).
Mining exports in May totalled $1.29 billion, 5.3 percent more than last year's figure. Copper exports grew 7.8 percent to $547.9 million, while zinc shipments climbed 28.4 percent to $186.5 million. Sales abroad of gold fell 12.6 percent in May from last year to $321.5 million. Peru is the world's third-largest producer of copper and zinc, and its fifth-largest producer of gold.