According to commercial consultant Aurora Bazán, the atypical weather, with temperatures of approximately five degrees Celsius above historical averages, had an impact on the production of some varieties such as Ventura, the main variety installed in the country.
She also said that exports to North America, which accounts for 50% of Peru's blueberry exports, had decreased by 54% by week 43. In the same period, exports to Europe, which account for 29% of exports, fell by 53%. Asia, which accounts for 20% of exports, experienced a 41% decrease.
Up to week 43 of the current campaign, exports to Latin America and the Middle East, which only account for less than 1.5% of total shipments, fell by 49% and 159%, respectively.
However: "Blueberry prices, which had been decreasing in recent years, experienced a significant rebound because there was a lower supply."
Peru is not the only country that has experienced a reduction in blueberry shipments. South Africa exported 9,622 tons by week 44, compared to 14,200 tons in the same period of last year. "This contraction is due to the heavy rains that affected the sector, though it's still not certain if 50% of the crops were lost or less. South Africa continues to send higher volumes by air, which is causing some tension. We'll see what happens in December, which will depend on the loads that arrive from Peru and Chile," she concluded.
Source: agraria.pe