Concerns are being raised that Peru’s agricultural production in the second half of 2014 could suffer disruption due to a possible weak to moderate El Niño. The National Meteorological and Hydrological Service expects fall temperatures to be 2 degrees Celsius warmer than normal. Warmer than normal temperatures, accompanied by increased rain could affect fruit formation (particularly table grapes), as well as lower sucrose content levels in sugarcane. El Niños spawn heavy rains and flooding in the northern regions, while causing droughts in the southern highlands. Previous strong El Niños have shaved 5-7 percentage points off from Peru’s GDP.
