According to the United Nations, in 2008 South America had 167,600 hectares devoted to cocaine production, a decrease of 8 percent of 2007.

The cultivation area of Colombia accounted for 430 tons of cocaine, or 48.3 percent of the total amount cultivated in South America. Peru accounted for 302 tons, or 33.5 percent of the total amount.

Source: “Peru may overtake Colombia in cocaine output: U.N.,” Reuters, February 23, 2010.

At the start of 2010, Colombia was the largest producer of Cocaine in the world, followed by Peru.

Source: Luis Andres Henao, “Latin America rejects old U.S. approach in drugs war,” Reuters, January 29, 2010.

Experts believe that up to 90 percent of all coca harvested in Peru ends up as cocaine, with the remaining coca used as tea or chewed as a mild stimulant.

Source:  Terry Wade, “Cocaine and rebels haunt Peru’s remote jungle,” Reuters, December 15, 2009.

Peru’s National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA) estimated that Peru lost up to $44.5 Million in 2005 to illegal logging activities.

Source: “Peru losses $44.5 million to illegal logging,” illegal-logging.info, February 1, 2006.

Cocaine that is produced in Peru generates an estimated $20 Billion a year in sales around the world.

Source:  Leslie Josephs and Robert Kozak, “Peru Battles Cocaine Producers,” Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2009.

In FY09, authorities in the United States seized $7.8 Million in counterfeit dollars that was believed to have been manufactured in Peru.

In addition, more than $18.2 Million in fake dollars was also seized in raids conducted in Peru.

Source:  Josh Meyer, “U.S. officials troubled by fake currency flowing from Peru,” Los Angeles Times, September 13, 2009.

Price is in US Dollars and represents the typical price of Cocaine in the Americas.

Source: UNODC, “World Drug Report 2009: Section 3.4 Prices, pages 215 to 234,” June 2009.

More Prices of Cocaine:

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The Shining Path rebels of Peru is increasing its activity in the cocaine trade by controlling an estimated 500 workers who labor in the trade, according to security analysts. 

The rebels are following the methods of FARC and have increased the production of cocaine in Peru.  In 2007, cocaine production was estimated t 290 tones, a 10 year high. 

Source: Simon Romero, “Violence returns to Peru’s remote jungle,” International Herald Tribune, March 17, 2009.