"We are getting to the point where blueberries are always available everywhere", the American said during the Global Berry Congress. Worldwide, the number of production countries is rapidly increasing. Ten years ago, most blueberry crops could be found in the USA, Canada, Chile, Argentina, the Benelux, Germany, Poland, Spain, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Now, 14 regions have been added: Mexico, Colombia, Peru, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans and Eastern Europe, East Africa, Zimbabwe, China and South Korea. "Every season, more countries enter the market."
David Brazelton, CEO of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery.
New cultivation areas, new cultivation methods
The advance of these new cultivation areas has been made possible because the soil is being considered in a different light. Cultivation in sandy soil is an important reason for the growth in Peru. Substrate cultivation means production is no longer tied to soil quality. "This means we no longer need topsoil. We can grow on farms where labour, water, and other factors are available," says David. An additional development is new varieties. These do not require cold nights, making cultivation in warmer climates possible. This changes the influence of nature and makes planning seasons more manageable. "Management is becoming the driving force behind the sector. This is leading to changes."
New harvesting methods will also bring about considerable changes in post-harvesting and packaging. Optic sorters make internal and external quality sorting possible, but the technology goes further than just that. Sorting on taste and brix is within reach. David called for a different view on sorting. "We mainly focus on the fruit we do not want. We do not pay enough attention to the fruit we do want. We need to focus on these" he says. He illustrated this with a question: what influence does rolling through the machines have on the good quality berries?
Where mechanisation of the chain is moving fast, development is lagging behind, even in the very first part of the chain. There are between 300 and 350 varieties available in the area of breeding. Yet, there is not a single one that is wholly suited to the mechanisation that is found in the further down in the chain, says David.
David continues: "We also need to continue thinking of ways to deal with Class 2 produce. We focus too much on the fresh market." Roughly 60% of the yield is suitable for the fresh market. David wants more attention focused on the remaining 40%. These blueberries can be used in the processing industry, but there is too little attention for this market from the trading sector.