According to Asoex's Blueberry Committee, the 2017/2018 campaign was positive. The country exported more than 110 thousand tons blueberries in this campaign, i.e. 6% more than in the previous season and a new record for the industry.
Andres Armstrong, the Executive Director of the Committee, said this season's increase in exports and normal departure periods were mainly due to the weather. "The evaluation is positive, and not only because of the record volumes achieved this season. The climate favored production and quality, which allowed us to export more fruit and with better conditions. In addition, the fruit was exported in the weeks when Chile is supposed to export them so we better complemented the increasing production of others countries, such as Peru, Mexico and Morocco," he said.
"This allowed the supermarkets to be supplied more regularly, facilitating promotional activities and avoiding overstocking," Armstrong added.
The situation was different than in the previous season, which did not end well for the national industry. "Last season we had a very big advance and we arrived with high volumes in weeks when the supermarkets were not prepared to move so much fruit. This season, despite having more fruit from various origins, the weekly offer was more balanced," Armstrong said.
Variety change and postharvest management
While the climate played an important role in the increased production of blueberries, Armstrong said that the varietal change being made by the industry had also allowed them to increase exports.
According to Armstrong, the sector should focus on post harvest management, continue varietal replacement, and continue working to achieve the best fruit quality.
Organic potential
The Committee registered for the first time exports of fresh organic blueberries during the current season, through its weekly Crop Report.
According to the report, the country exported more than 10 thousand tons of organic blueberries, which account for 9.2% of all exports. 85% of the organic blueberry was destined for the North American market, the main market in the world. This could vary in the coming seasons due to the agreement of recognition of organic certification between Chile and the European Union, which will facilitate access to that market.
While the volume of organic blueberries still only accounts for a small proportion of the market, it is a differentiating element that favors the national industry, Armstrong said.
Source: SimFRUIT with information from the CBBC