China's blueberry industry is consolidating a shift towards high-quality development, based on a dual growth strategy that combines strengthening domestic production with expanding international trade. This model, which has accelerated in recent years, aims to ensure year-round supply, diversify the offer, and position the country as a more active player in the global market.
Internal production drives change
The sector's growth is driven first by the expansion of domestic production. Between 2020 and 2025, the cultivated area increased from 996,000 mu to 1.58 million mu, while production rose from 347,200 tons to 810,000 tons.
This increase has affected consumption patterns, with prices declining and blueberries becoming more accessible in Chinese households. In cities such as Kunming, peak season prices have decreased, reflecting the impact of higher supply.
The process is supported by the adoption of agricultural technology. In regions such as Yunnan, greenhouse cultivation and soilless growing systems are used to control production conditions, improve quality, and extend harvest periods.
Year-round supply structure
Ensuring a continuous supply is a central objective of the dual strategy. China has developed coordinated production across regions to cover different seasons.
Yunnan leads supply in winter and spring, while provinces such as Shandong and Liaoning focus on summer and autumn production. Other regions, including Guizhou and Xinjiang, contribute to processing and late-season supply.
This structure supports domestic market growth and responds to increasing demand.
Imports complement the market
Despite rising domestic output, China continues to import blueberries. In 2024, imports reached 38,700 tons, with Peru supplying nearly 90% of the volume.
Imports serve to maintain availability during periods of lower domestic production and provide product diversity for consumers.
Expanding exports
The second pillar of the strategy is export development. Chinese blueberry exports increased from 177.9 tons in 2022 to 2,592.29 tons in 2024, alongside a rise in export value.
Exports are mainly directed towards Asian and nearby markets, supported by improvements in quality, post-harvest handling, and cold chain logistics.
Focus on quality development
The development of the blueberry sector reflects a broader shift in Chinese agriculture. The focus is moving from volume growth to quality improvement, value addition, and reduced reliance on price-based competition.
In this context, the development of processed products and the strengthening of the production chain are ongoing steps. The dual strategy is aimed at consolidating the domestic market while expanding international presence, with implications for global producers and trade partners such as Chile.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
