Peruvian blueberry exports have been becoming more important for the country in recent years. Rodrigo Manzo, the manager of Camposol's Blueberry Business Unit, said Camposol expected to end the year with 15,000 planted tons of blueberries, 12,000 of which will be exported (almost 30% of the industry).
"Overall, 55% of our exports go to the United States, 40% to Europe and 5% to other destinations (Asia and Latin America). Most of our sales are for the retail sector," he said. China is a potential importer of blueberries, as they recently opened their market to this fruit.
The sanitary conditions of importers are very similar to those of other exporting countries in the area, such as Chile or Argentina. "For example, we export our products to Europe without any treatment," Manzo said.
"We export our blueberries to the US with cold treatment, or they are sprayed at destination, while our exports to Argentina and Chile must be fumigated here," he added.
Meanwhile, domestic demand, which is still small, has a high growth rate. 60% is moved through wholesalers, but supermarkets are beginning to be important and represent approximately 25% of the domestic market.
Peru can produce blueberries throughout the whole year. "However, through agricultural management, we concentrate our production for a trade window that starts once the harvest in the northern hemisphere finishes and ends when it begins, i.e. from August to February, peaking between September and October," he stated.
The growth of this business would significantly increase the number of families with a job and the income level of other families. "The state and the private sector should invest their time and money jointly to move quickly and solidly, just like our main competitors have already done," he added.
Source: gestion.pe