Peru Cracks Down on Illegal Pesticides, Protecting Health and Exports

Peruvian authorities are intensifying efforts to combat the illegal trade and misuse of agricultural pesticides, safeguarding both public health and the country’s crucial agricultural exports. Recent actions by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI), through the National Service of Agrarian Health (SENASA), have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited and expired pesticides, as well as the identification of unauthorized establishments across several regions.

Nationwide Crackdown Yields Results

SENASA’s control actions have focused on regions including La Libertad, Ucayali, and Huancavelica, uncovering various irregularities in the marketing of agricultural inputs. In La Libertad’s Trujillo province, authorities seized 22 banned pesticides – five containing paraquat and 17 with chlorpyrifos – alongside 37 expired products. In Ucayali’s Padre de Abad, four boxes of contraband products originating from Ecuador and expired pesticides were confiscated. Five establishments selling pesticides without the required health authorizations were identified in Huancavelica’s Acobamba province. SENASA aims to incentivize the production of safe and wholesome foods.

Significant Seizures and Penalties in 2025

Throughout 2025, SENASA seized over two tons of prohibited products and conducted more than 3,500 inspection actions nationwide. These efforts are designed to prevent irreversible damage to both human health and the environment. A company in La Libertad was fined 60 UIT (Unidad Impositiva Tributaria, a tax unit used in Peru) following a mass poisoning incident affecting over 300 people, attributed to inadequate advertising regarding the proper use and management of pesticides.

Protecting Exports and Promoting Safe Agriculture

These actions underscore Peru’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of its agricultural products, particularly those destined for export markets. MIDAGRI, through SENASA, is actively working to guarantee the health and safety of exports, including blueberries. Inspectors verify the phytosanitary condition of crops both in the field and at packing plants to ensure they meet international standards.

Expanding Market Access: Peruvian Avocadoes to China

Peru is also expanding its reach into new markets, recently completing its first shipment of 48 metric tons of frozen avocado pulp to China, sourced from Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Áncash. SENASA Piura rigorously inspected the shipment to ensure it met China’s stringent sanitary requirements, including being free of contaminants.

Ongoing Commitment to Agricultural Safety

MIDAGRI, through SENASA, will continue to strengthen control measures for agricultural inputs and collaborate with relevant public entities to guarantee the quality and safety of agro-food products. This includes ongoing training for small producers in Good Agricultural Practices, covering areas such as soil analysis, seed selection, integrated pest management, and reduced pesticide use. SENASA is also implementing regulations regarding fruit entering La Libertad, requiring proper authorization.