According to Federico Beltran Molina, CEO of Terra Business SAC and sales representative of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in Peru, Peruvian exports of blueberries could amount to 6,000 tons in 2014, 300% more than in 2013 when the country exported 1,500 tons.
Beltran Molina noted that this increase in exports was due, primarily, to some plantations coming into production and others reaching physiological maturity, which would lead to higher yields.
He also stressed that the good period of the Peruvian berry sector was a result of the large agricultural exporting companies that jumped into the business and initiated learning processes to increase the crop's efficiency. Thanks to the experience we've gained, Peru could have an important place in the world market for blueberries, he said.
Beltran Molina also stated that the increase in blueberry production was also the result of the significant investment made in land, infrastructure and packaging, as well as the access to technical equipment and genetics via the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties.
He also said that Peru had about 700 acres of blueberries, and they might have an extra 300 by the end of the year.
Regarding target markets, he said that currently the main ones were the United States and Europe. The biggest demand in Europe is from England. In the future, he noted, China will become a great option. Thus, he recommended developing a variety that is big and strong enough to endure long trips.
"An ideal portfolio should combine blueberry varieties with different attributes. The fruit must be productive, with early yields, rustic (so it can be manipulated), of large calibres and it must be firm so it can withstand long trips," he said.
In this regard, he said the Biloxi variety was a good choice because it was quite rustic, and that the Ventura variety, like the Emerald and Springhigh varieties, was responding well in sandy soils. Peru is testing around twenty varieties, especially the patented ones.
According to him, the tests conducted so far show that to further develop the berry business, Peru must solve limitations in three areas: water quality, soil type and the ideal temperature to grow berries.
Source: Agraria.pe