Argentina, the most important player of the southern hemisphere's early fruit, is getting ready to deliver the first shipments of blueberries to the U.S. and European markets.
Even though Argentina has had blueberries since August, the country only starts supplying the export markets starting September, as that is the moment when the domestic supply in the U.S. and Europe starts dwindling.
"The stored fruit usually doesn't have the same quality as the freshly harvested fruit from our country, so we are present in the northern hemisphere between the start of September and up to December," said sources from the Argentinean Blueberry Committee through a statement.
"The availability of our fruit starting September plays an important role in the whole year supply and the American and European importers already know our product has a high-quality, and that the Argentine exporters are reliable and the supply is absolutely stable," they added.
Argentinean blueberry crops, which are grown in a completely natural habitat, with mild climate, good soils and natural aeration and drainage, have a tradition of over twenty years. The natural conditions of the country and the professional handling of the plants by producers favour the optimal growth and development of the blueberries.
As the sector is already in a consolidation phase, Argentina has maintained a steady average volume of 15,000 tons per year over the past years.
"We might have yields between 16,000 and 16,500 tons this year, if the weather is favourable and there are no unusual events. However, we hope to deliver the final estimates at the beginning of week 36 when we'll have our first preseason report," they stated.
"We export almost 90% of the country's total export volumes between September and November, so our estimates are that we will ship about 15,000 tons in those months and the rest in December," they said.
It's worth noting that Argentina continues its varietal replacement plan, which gives the country an advantage over new competitors that are still experimenting with varieties to determine which are best suited to their soil and climate conditions and the flavour and firmness that consumers are looking for.
Source: Fresh Fruit Portal