Import coir substrate from Brazil to Peru
Washed coir pith from Ceara, Brazil. FOB Pecem, 10–14 days to Callao. The shortest coir supply route to Peru.
Pecem to Callao: the shortest coir route
The Port of Pecem sits on Brazil's northeast Atlantic coast, 90 km from Carve's plant. Container services cross the Atlantic, transit the Panama Canal and reach Callao on Peru's Pacific coast in 10–14 days. The route stays entirely in the Western Hemisphere: no Suez Canal, no Red Sea, no Cape of Good Hope detour.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | 10–14 days | Shipping line schedules, Pecem–Callao via Panama Canal |
| Indicative freight | US$ 44–81 / t in 40' HC | Freight benchmarks, Atlantic–Pacific westbound, 2026 |
| Route | Atlantic coast, Panama Canal, Pacific to Callao | Standard liner routing |
| Suez / Red Sea exposure | None | Pure Western Hemisphere corridor |
| India to Callao | 35–45 days | Shipping line schedules, via Suez + Panama or Cape + Pacific |
| Sri Lanka to Callao | 30–40 days | Shipping line schedules |
| Import duty (Peru) | Likely 0 % under ACE 58 | ACE 58 bilateral agreement (Brazil–Peru), HS 5305; confirm with importer's customs broker |
ACE 58 (Acuerdo de Complementacion Economica No. 58) is the ALADI bilateral trade agreement between Mercosur and Peru. Coir under HS 5305 is expected to qualify for 0 % preferential duty. The MFN rate for India on the same line is 0–6 %. Importers should confirm the applicable tariff with their customs broker.
Products available FOB Pecem
All grades are processed from dry coconut husk from Ceara, Brazil. The husk is not retted in brackish water, so the raw material starts at a lower salt level than most Asian coir. Every lot is tested before shipping.
- Weight
- 5 kg compressed block, 30 x 30 x 14 cm
- EC
- < 0.7 mS/cm (1:5 extract)
- pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Moisture
- < 18 %
- Expansion
- 13–16 L/kg (65–80 L per block)
- Loading
- 22 pallets / 40' HC, ~23 t net
- Type
- Long bristle fiber, mechanically extracted
- Use
- Substrate blending, erosion control, composites
- Format
- Compressed bales
- Size
- 10–20 mm pieces
- Use
- Orchids, blueberries, drainage layers
- Format
- Compressed blocks or bags
Blueberry substrate parameters
Peru is the world's largest blueberry exporter. Blueberry substrate requires tight control of EC and pH. Carve's washed coir pith meets the key thresholds for blueberry production in coir.
| Parameter | Blueberry requirement | Carve washed pith |
|---|---|---|
| EC (1:5 extract) | < 0.7 mS/cm | < 0.7 mS/cm |
| pH | 5.0–6.5 | 5.5–6.5 |
| Sodium (Na) | Low | Dry husk, not retted — low Na at source |
| Chloride (Cl) | Low | Freshwater washed, multiple cycles |
| Expansion | ≥ 12 L/kg | 13–16 L/kg |
| Washed | Mandatory | Yes, freshwater soak-and-drain cycles |
Blueberry substrate requirements based on published grower specifications and agronomic literature. Source: Carve product specification; blueberry substrate references from industry practice.
Why import coir from Brazil
Peru currently sources most of its coir from India and Sri Lanka. Brazil offers a structurally different supply corridor.
Freight comparison to Callao
| Origin | Transit to Callao | Indicative freight (US$/t, 40' HC) | Route risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pecem) | 10–14 days | 44–81 | Panama Canal only |
| India (Tamil Nadu) | 35–45 days | 70–130 | Suez + Panama, or Cape + Pacific |
| Sri Lanka (Colombo) | 30–40 days | 65–120 | Suez + Panama, or Cape + Pacific |
| Netherlands (Rotterdam, re-export) | 20–25 days | 60–100 | Atlantic, Panama Canal |
Freight rates are indicative ranges for 40' HC containers, full container loads of compressed coir, 2026 benchmarks. Actual rates depend on booking date, carrier and contract terms. Source: freight benchmarks and shipping line rate cards.
Landed cost comparison: near parity
Brazilian coir carries a modest FOB premium over Indian coir, but shorter transit, lower freight and preferential duty narrow the landed-cost gap at Callao.
| Cost component | India (indicative, US$/t) | Carve / Brazil (indicative, US$/t) |
|---|---|---|
| FOB price (washed pith blocks) | 340–400 | 500–600 |
| Ocean freight to Callao | 70–130 | 44–81 |
| Import duty | 0–6 % MFN | Likely 0 % (ACE 58) |
| Port handling + clearance | ~30 | ~30 |
| Estimated landed cost | ~460–580 | ~575–710 |
All figures are indicative ranges for 2026, per metric tonne, for washed coir pith in compressed 5 kg blocks. Indian FOB prices based on published trade data. Carve FOB pricing is illustrative; request a firm quote for current terms. Duty rates: India MFN 0–6 % per Peru customs schedule; Brazil under ACE 58 expected 0 %, confirm with broker.
Start with a trial container
One 40' HC container holds approximately 23 tonnes of compressed coir pith blocks. At FOB Pecem pricing, a trial container represents approximately US$ 11,500–14,000 of product, depending on the grade.
Contact Carve to request a quote, a sample or a specification sheet. Response time is typically within one business day.
- COA Certificate of analysis per lot, with EC, pH, moisture and expansion
- Phyto Phytosanitary certificate issued by MAPA (Brazil's agriculture ministry)
- Pallets ISPM-15 certified heat-treated pallets
- Incoterms FOB Pecem (CFR or CIF available on request)
- Origin Certificate of origin for ACE 58 preferential duty
- Payment Terms agreed per order; advance + BL copy, D/P or L/C
OTHER DESTINATIONS
Read the full Peru coir market analysis.
Request a quote for Peru
Washed coir pith blocks, coir fiber and husk chips from Ceara, Brazil. FOB Pecem, 10–14 days to Callao.
Frequently asked
What is the import duty on coir entering Peru from Brazil?
Coir (HS 5305) from Brazil is expected to enter Peru at 0 % preferential duty under ACE 58, the bilateral trade agreement between Mercosur and Peru (ALADI). A certificate of origin is required to claim the preference. The MFN rate for coir from India is 0–6 %. Importers should confirm the applicable rate with their customs broker.
How long is the transit from Pecem to Callao?
Container services from the Port of Pecem to Callao typically take 10–14 days, routing via the Panama Canal. This compares with 35–45 days from India and 30–40 from Sri Lanka. Source: shipping line schedules.
Is the coir pith suitable for blueberry substrate?
Yes. Carve's washed coir pith is specified at EC below 0.7 mS/cm and pH 5.5–6.5, meeting the baseline requirements for blueberry production in coir. The raw material is dry husk that was never retted in brackish water, so it starts with lower sodium and chloride levels than most Asian coir. A buffered grade (EC below 0.5 mS/cm) is available on request.
What documents come with the shipment?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, phytosanitary certificate issued by MAPA, certificate of origin (for ACE 58 preferential duty), ISPM-15 pallet certificate and the lot certificate of analysis (EC, pH, moisture, expansion).
Can Carve quote CIF Callao?
Standard terms are FOB Pecem. CFR or CIF Callao can be quoted through Carve's freight forwarder on request. Contact [email protected].
What is the minimum order?
One 40' HC container, approximately 23 tonnes of compressed coir pith blocks. A trial container is the standard way to begin.