According to Miguel Bentin, President of Proarandanos, the business association expects to export about 3 million kilos of fresh blueberries this year, which amounts to between $25 and $30 million dollars, representing 80% of their total production.
The United States is their main market, followed by Europe and Asia. Bertin stated that this year's total production of fresh blueberries would amount to more than 3.7 million kilos and that the union had between 900 and 1,100 hectares of the more than 1,200 hectares dedicated to the crop in the country.
Bentin also spoke about the specific care needed by blueberry crops. "Blueberry crops should be handled according to the specific conditions of each field. Even fields that are nearby might have different requirements. That's what makes it a difficult crop."
He added, "the know-how will become public, the sector will develop the know-how, but blueberry crops require a specific management, a much higher level of detail, while many other crops have a standard management."
Regarding the varieties Proarandanos handles, Bentin said that 80% of their total production was made up of the Biloxi variety. "It is the only variety that is agronomically feasible. We are now experimenting with new varieties such as Emerald, Ventura and other private varieties," he said.
In this regard, he said, the market was looking for varieties with good yield, productive force, a good consistent harvest, good sizes, and a flavour that balances sweetness with acidity, which is becoming a very important aspect for buyers.
BentÃn indicated that one of Proarandanos' goals, together with the SENASA and the authority of the US APHIS, was flexible phytosanitary protocols with the United States in order to have greater access points.
"Canada is a market that has no access to blueberries, which was a real surprise for us, but apparently it's something not to complicated to achieve and has a very interesting market. Then there's China, with a rapidly increasing demand for blueberries and to which we have no access," he said.
Source: Agraria.pe