"Blueberry prices have been ridiculously high"

The situation on the blueberry market has stabilized a little bit. A few weeks ago, the prices were on a ridiculously high level, but recently they have been halved. “This is mostly due to the shortages we had back then and the larger volumes that are on the market right now. Besides, there were more factors that influenced the price, such as the holiday period in several European countries. And, if the consumption decreases in America, we notice that immediately,” says Fred Douven, who gives insight into the word market of blueberries. “The weather conditions play a large role as well. Every year it is a surprise.”

Fred Douven is the director of ABB Trading, an internationally oriented company that supplies blueberries and asparagus all year round. He states that the business is quiet at the moment. “In week 41 and 42, the prices were ridiculously high. That is, 28 euros for 1.5 kilos. Now, it has decreased to about 15 euro.” It is important that the prices are not too high, according to Fred. “If they are offered in supermarkets for 4 euro per 125 gram, fewer people will buy them, which is a logical consequence. You will definitely have lost the impulse buyers. The people that eat blueberries regularly will still buy them.”

The blueberries are supplied from several countries, including Argentina, Peru, and South Africa. “The Argentinian blueberries were a bit disappointing with regard to their quality, the Peruvian blueberries are much better. The volumes from Argentina are slowly decreasing, because most producers have stopped harvesting. The first season in South Africa is coming to an end as well. Peru will sign an agreement with China in November, so there will be less supply from Peru. I think the volumes will be all right. I expect no extremely high prices for now. In a few weeks, the Chilean blueberries will be arriving.