Agro-Exports and Economic Growth: A Case Study of Lambayeque, Peru (2010-2023)

Agro-export trade has been a fundamental pillar in the economic development of numerous countries, contributing to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and enhanced competitiveness in international markets. While various studies have examined the relationship between exports and economic growth at the national level, there is limited empirical evidence analyzing this link at the subnational level. This study focuses on the Lambayeque region, one of Peru’s leading agro-exporting areas, to assess the contribution of agro-exports to regional economic growth from 2010 to 2023. Using annual data from INEI and BCRP, a quantitative, non-experimental, and longitudinal methodology was applied, based on the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method and supported by econometric tests. The results reveal that agro-exports account for 93.1% of the variability in regional economic growth. Agricultural exports, particularly coffee, blueberries, and avocados, had a positive and significant impact on gross value added, whereas livestock exports showed no statistically significant relationship. These findings confirm that the agro-export sector has been a key driver of economic growth in Lambayeque. However, they also highlight the need to diversify the export portfolio to reduce vulnerability to market fluctuations. This study provides valuable empirical evidence on the impact of agro-exports in a specific region of Peru, contributing to the literature on trade and economic development. The results can serve as a reference for policymakers and future research in regions with similar production structures.