Peru’s Mining-Led Regional Growth Concentrates in Six Departments During Q2 2021 Recovery

Peru’s national production growth of 41.9% in Q2 2021 was concentrated in six departments that collectively generated 62.7% of total output, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática. Pasco led with 87.5% growth, followed by Áncash at 67.8%, Ica at 61.0%, Lima at 48.6%, Loreto at 42.9%, and Piura at 44.7%. The expansion was attributed to resumed economic activities, increased capacity limits in commercial centers and restaurants, reduced curfew hours, and progressive COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

The mining sector emerged as the primary driver across multiple regions. Pasco’s 87.5% growth stemmed from increased extraction of gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead, comparing against Q2 2020 when operations at Sociedad Minera El Brocal, Compañía Minera Chungar, Nexa Resources, Empresa Administradora Cerro, and Pan American Silver Huaron were suspended between April and May due to pandemic restrictions. Áncash’s 67.8% expansion was propelled by higher zinc, copper, silver and lead extraction at Compañía Minera Antamina, which had limited production from April 13 to May 25, 2020, alongside increased gold extraction at Minera Boroo Misquichilca. Ica’s 61.0% growth reflected greater iron extraction at Shougang Hierro Perú and Minera Shouxin, which had halted operations from March 16 to June 5, 2020.

Seven departments recorded growth below the national average, including Ucayali at 41.0%, Madre de Dios at 40.4%, Apurímac at 38.2%, Arequipa at 36.6%, Lambayeque at 32.7%, Junín at 30.8%, and Cajamarca at 30.7%. Tacna registered the lowest positive rate at 4.5%, driven by construction and transportation sectors but offset by declining mining and agricultural activities.

In October 2025, rice production reached 158,166 tonnes, up 5.0% year-over-year due to favorable water conditions. Cajamarca, Huánuco, Amazonas, San Martín and Loreto controlled 92.8% of national rice output, with growth rates of 35.1%, 30.6%, 17.8%, 3.4% and 1.3% respectively.