Most of the blueberries currently available in the Chinese market come from Chile and Peru. But the supply volume of Peruvian blueberries is actually already quite small. This supply season of Peruvian blueberries will officially finish by the end of this month.
The Peruvian blueberry export volume in 2020 increased by more than 30% in comparison with 2019, but the price was slightly lower. Under normal circumstances the Peruvian blueberries enter the market around the time that Chinese blueberry warehouses are almost completely empty. The Peruvian blueberry season perfectly complements the Chinese blueberry season. The peak period of the Peruvian blueberry supply season falls between September and December.
Peruvian blueberries
"I think that Peru has the potential to overtake Chile as the main supplier of blueberries for the Chinese market. There are several reasons for this development. First, the seasons in the southern hemisphere are the opposite from the northern hemisphere, which means that Peruvian farmers can supply the Chinese market when the Chinese blueberry season is over. Furthermore, Peru can grow blueberries all year round. Farmers can plant blueberries to coincide the harvest with the optimum supply season. Second, blueberry producers constantly improve their blueberry varieties. The market price also rises in response to better blueberry varieties. If farmers are able to judge the plantation volume exactly right, and not create surplus supply, then the Peruvian blueberry quality will only improve." This is according to Mr. Yu Dejun of Shanghai Lieguo Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.
"In all honesty, market feedback for Chilean blueberries continuously fluctuates. Chilean blueberries are slightly behind Peruvian blueberries in terms of product quality as well as their timing on the Chinese market. That is why Chilean blueberries have been unable to reach the same prices as Peruvian blueberries in the last two years," explained Mr. Yu Dejun. "However, the market conditions of Chilean blueberries were still better last year than they were in 2019, especially around Chinese Spring Festival [12 February, 2021]."
Cardboard box for Peruvian blueberries
In addition to imported blueberries, the Chinese market also sells domestic blueberries from Yunnan. This is the time of year that Yunnan blueberries enter the Chinese market in large volumes, although this year they are slightly early. The production volume of off-season fruit also grows. Contrary to expectations, this development does not reduce the import volume of off-season fruit, but only stimulates it. Hydroponic blueberries from Yunnan enjoy excellent market conditions in the off-season, even though the price is much higher than imported blueberries. This has a noticeable effect on the blueberry market.
"The market advantage of Peruvian blueberries will only become more obvious in the next few years. We plan to take advantage of this opportunity and expand our import volume of Peruvian blueberries. We welcome cooperation with top-quality blueberry suppliers and look forward to exploring commercial opportunities," said Mr. Yu Dejun.
For more information:
Mr. Yu Dejun - Manager
Shanghai Lieguo Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.
Tel.: +86 186 5850 9217
E-mail address: 18801739217@163.com