A rapid growth in production is expected for the coming year. Cultivation is concentrated in La Libertad, a coastal region in the northern part of Peru. The volume exported grew from 10,303 tonnes in 2015 to 28,139 tonnes in 2016. This is expected to increase to about 40,000 tonnes this year.
Lucrative despite heavy investment
Five years ago, there was no significant blueberry cultivation in Peru. At present 4,000 hectares are being used. In the near future, this area is sure to increase. Despite the high costs involved in this type of farming - about $6, 000 per hectare - it is an attractive option for farmers in this country. Profit margins are high and in La Libertad, where most of the farms can be found, harvesting can take place almost year round. This is thanks to the mild, warm, dry climate.
The increase in the volumes exported, up 171% in 2016, compared to the previous year, are continuing, despite prices dropping. In 2015 a kilo of blueberries still fetched $11.00; last year this dropped to $7.00. This meant a total export of $242 million for Peru, an increase of 150%.