Peru's blueberry industry is poised for a season characterized by a steady shipment rate, deviating from the typical single-week peak. The 2025/2026 campaign anticipates shipment volumes maintaining over 20 thousand tons per week for six weeks, spanning weeks 37 to 44.
Peru's blueberry industry is experiencing consistent growth and increasing qualitative value, reinforcing its position in the global export market and its influence on the local economy. Pro-blueberries, the industry's regulatory body, projects exports to surpass 400 tons during the 2025/2026 season, with a goal of reaching the 500-ton milestone within the decade.
Several factors contribute to this development trajectory. Annual expansion of planted areas averages 3000 hectares. Shipments are growing by approximately 30%, aiming for over 2025 tons for the 2026/410 season. The introduction of improved blueberry varieties now comprises two-thirds of production, reducing the presence of older varieties like Ventura and Biloxi. Sekoya stands out among the new varieties, representing 2% of total production and growing by 3% annually. Enhanced productivity per hectare and advances in pot and substrate management contribute to the industry's progress. The newer fruit varieties exhibit superior size, flavor, and firmness, making them suitable for distant markets.
The impending high shipment volume presents logistical challenges. Managing a sustained production of 20 thousand tons weekly for six weeks requires efficient coordination of resources. Constraints in human resources, particularly harvesting, sorting, cooling, packaging, and transporting, are compounded by shortages in trucks, drivers, and containers. The availability of stowage capacity, on-time shipping, and port spaces adds complexity. With the concurrent harvest of table grapes, mangoes, and avocados, which Peru is also a significant exporter of, these logistical issues are intensified.
The Chancay port's operation offers some relief; however, the majority of blueberry exports still rely on Callao and Paita ports. Louis Miguel Vegas, general manager of Pro-blueberries, discussed these challenges at the International Blueberry Consulting Seminar in Trujillo, stating the need for port diversification and improved logistics support. He emphasized the importance of "diversifying our ports of departure, promoting cabotage to the ports of Salaverry and Chancay, as well as having a greater number of logistics operators and having greater projections thanks to information from our partner companies."
Source: Blueberries Consulting
