As for the exports by air shipment to this same market, these went from 2,849 tonnes to 3,383 tonnes; an 18 percent growth, while those going by sea increased by 213%, going from 272 tonnes to 851 tonnes. "The producers have made a better planning and this allows us to have a better season. We continue to position Argentina's production in the most demanding international markets," said Bayá.
Estimation vs. real week 40 - Consolidated supply southern hemisphere to the US
It is worth noting that ahead of the "PMA (Produce Marketing Association) - Fresh Summit", the most important trade show in the sector, held this year in New Orleans, Argentina is consolidated as a supplier of "a product with a good flavour and colour, which stands out for its gourmet value and which is very popular in events like this," added Bayá.
After what happened in the 2016 campaign, Argentina has made preparations to face the current season with many productive, logistical, and commercial changes in terms of distribution, focusing on increasing its maritime shipments and reducing the air ones. "This will also allow us to delay the shipment of part of our fruit to week 46 and onwards," stated Matías Notti, a member of the ABC statistical commission.
"We understand that Peru, after a start with the majority of shipments going to China, has been diversifying in recent weeks and shipping more to the US by sea," affirmed Notti. Also, Chile is somewhat delayed based on this week's latest estimates. "This is very important, as it makes us optimistic about prices in weeks 48, 49 and 50," he said.
As for how things will go in the US market, which is the largest one, "we see many companies having difficulties to obtain the fruit they need for their scheduled sales, and other very large companies already reporting downward prices. As I mentioned, the fact that many containers are arriving to the US does not mean that everyone will have fruit, but that a few will have a lot. Anyone who has managed to atomise their sales will surely have some more bargaining power," said Notti.
After what happened in the 2016 campaign, Argentina has made preparations to face the current season with many productive, logistical, and commercial changes in terms of distribution, focusing on increasing its maritime shipments and reducing the air ones. "This will also allow us to delay the shipment of part of our fruit to week 46 and onwards," stated Matías Notti, a member of the ABC statistical commission.
"We understand that Peru, after a start with the majority of shipments going to China, has been diversifying in recent weeks and shipping more to the US by sea," affirmed Notti. Also, Chile is somewhat delayed based on this week's latest estimates. "This is very important, as it makes us optimistic about prices in weeks 48, 49 and 50," he said.
As for how things will go in the US market, which is the largest one, "we see many companies having difficulties to obtain the fruit they need for their scheduled sales, and other very large companies already reporting downward prices. As I mentioned, the fact that many containers are arriving to the US does not mean that everyone will have fruit, but that a few will have a lot. Anyone who has managed to atomise their sales will surely have some more bargaining power," said Notti.
Notti mentioned that "today, the main warehouses of the east and west coasts do not have large stocks of fruit as in previous campaigns, especially when compared to 2016, which was catastrophic. This means that, with the right promotions, the product will continue to rotate and possibly the impact of Peru, with its arrivals in containers, will not have as big of an impact as in the previous campaign."
In this regard, blueberry producers in Argentina aim to continue loading as much volume as possible by sea, as much as the weather permits. Furthermore, importing companies in the United States which have expressed their commitment to working with Argentinian producers "must continue to promote the qualities of our fruit, more than anything by focusing on the flavour that makes us stand out."
"We must accept the great responsibility of discarding the fruit that does not qualify for the market week by week. This will help boost promotions and prevent the market from being tainted with fruit that will later have to be sold off at any price so as not to throw it away," concluded Notti.
In this regard, blueberry producers in Argentina aim to continue loading as much volume as possible by sea, as much as the weather permits. Furthermore, importing companies in the United States which have expressed their commitment to working with Argentinian producers "must continue to promote the qualities of our fruit, more than anything by focusing on the flavour that makes us stand out."
"We must accept the great responsibility of discarding the fruit that does not qualify for the market week by week. This will help boost promotions and prevent the market from being tainted with fruit that will later have to be sold off at any price so as not to throw it away," concluded Notti.
More information:
ABC
Carla Ginobili
Tel. (+54) 114415-1378