Chile is currently the largest exporter of fresh blueberries in the world, with volumes exceeding 100 thousand tons. However, maintaining this position, continuing to increase production, and having a bigger presence in international markets requires more than increasing the volume of fruit, it also requires improving the its quality.
Julia Pinto, the technical manager of the Blueberry Committee of Chile-ASOEX, said: "The quality issue is essential, when speaking about the future of blueberries. The quality standard has changed because there is a greater competition nowadays. Thus, if we don't discuss the fruit's quality and condition, it's impossible to talk about the future of blueberries."
She also said that quality was such an important factor, that it was measured by receivers, importers, distributors, the retail sector, and consumers. "We need to focus on making our fruit succeed in the market, and will only achieve it when consumers choose our fruit, and that's a choice where the fruit's quality and condition prevail. Today, we are not alone in the markets, we have a lot of competition, so the quality of our fruits is fundamental," she added.
Pinto also said that quality the committee had always focused on improving quality and that they had worked hard and improved many things, which has allowed them to grow and to have the possibility of reaching very demanding markets, such as China. However, one of the current challenges of the industry is to continue growing in China, by having more varieties and having fruits that are in a better condition.
"We have a product that has been historically good. We have a superior organoleptic quality, a blueberry with a balanced flavor, and a good size. We have achieved good calibers and a fruit with a good skin, now we need to continue working the fruit's quality in terms of firmness, so we can compete better. Having more competition has caused a change in the quality standard, and we need to improve our quality to continue leading the blueberry export market," she said.
In this context, ASOEX, together with the Blueberry Committee, are inviting producers to participate in the ASOEX Regional Fruit Cycles: Blueberry Debates, which will take place on August 21 in Talca and on August 23rd in Temuco. The quality issue will be the central axis of these events, which will include presentations by Julia Pinto, who will talk about the evolution of the quality of the Chilean blueberry and its challenges; and Pilar Bañados, the Manager of Research and Development of Hortifrut, and an Academic of Physiology and Production of Berries of the PUC, who will analyze the technological evolution of the fruit.
In his presentation, Raul Dastres, the Director of Valle Maule, will address the varietal change and the critical factors that influence it; while Jorge Andres Varela, the Director of Agroberries, will talk about the industry's world scenario.
To contribute to the debate, John Gray, the Commercial Director of Angus Soft Fruits, an European importer of blueberries, and Jose Diaz, the Sourcing Manager of Walmart US, will participate in the event.
Finally, in order to stimulate the debate that the industry requires on key issues, there will be two discussion panels. These will be in the charge of Isabel Quiroz, the Director of iQonsulting, and Felipe Juillerat, the president of the Blueberry Committee of Chile - Asoex and the Commercial Manager of Hortifrut.
Source: SimFRUIT