Peru is the fastest growing country globally in production and shipments of fresh blueberries to the international market. Main export destinations include the US, The Netherlands and, in third position, China. China has become an important export destination for Peruvian blueberries
Julio Ruiz-Tagle is Asia & America Manager at D-Quality Survey BV, an independent surveyor company. D-Quality Survey BV conducts QC inspections, produces market reports and does data analysis for clients. The company gathers quality and sales data from international markets across the world that can be used for continuous analysis and improvement of all produce shipments, including comparisons of which varieties are successful, quality defects, review of growers, labels, receivers, shipping ports and other data points.
Quality testing of imported berries
Container opening at the Guangzhou import market
The harvest and production of Peruvian blueberries start around July and can last until January or even February. Most of the berries are arriving in China by sea. In the past, Peru grew more traditional varieties such as Ventura and Biloxi. In recent years, new varieties such as Mountain Blue, Sekoya and OZblu varieties have been planted. They are big size blueberries (+16 / +18 ), with good arrival conditions, visible bloom and good taste. Bloom is important to Chinese consumers because the fruit looks fresher and the fruit can last longer. New varieties for the Chinese market that are successful are sweeter and have a longer shelf-life. These include: Eureka, Sekoya Pop, Sekoya Beauty, OZ Magica and OZ Bonita.
Julio comments on the first few weeks of the Peruvian blueberry export season: “Peru is very early. Peru has grown its productive window a lot - the harvest is now from July to February. If visiting Peru you can see huge production, very impressive. There is overlap with Chile’s blueberry season, which runs from November to February. This is a challenge for Chilean exporters, and also for Peruvians because there is direct competition for a few months in the year. Then, very early on in the season in the months July and August, Peruvian berries compete with Chinese blueberry crop. This year the local fruit was very good. Chinese berries are well known, well appreciated, good quality, no or shorter transit times, and well marketed. China has also been increasing its window with earlier and later fresh berries.”
Improved berry genetics
Julio continues: “Regardless, there is always a market for Peruvian berries. Perhaps in early and late part of the season, prices are more competitive, but there is still a market. Varieties have been developing and berry genetics are improving. In the past, Ventura and other traditional varieties were shipped. Now in recent years Sekoya, OZblue and other new varieties with better post-harvest quality, bigger sizes and very important, very beautiful bloom are exported. This bloom protects the fruit during transit and gives a fresh image of the fruit. Chinese consumers know about this - that more bloom is better”.
Avocado quality testing
First weeks of the season
How were first few weeks of arrivals? “So far very good. Peruvians and Chileans have developed immensely the postharvest techniques on how to send their fresh products to far-away countries. Peruvians are particular that their fruit is very strong and firm. Everything is well managed, arriving in super conditions and fresh. Prices have been very acceptable and sales fast; when a container is opened it gets sold almost instantly. Main defects: not many major defects, only some isolate soft/sensitive fruit units, so very good early arrivals so far, with no decay, rotten fruits or mold. In minor defects, we have mainly spotted lack of color which makes for a little reddish fruit. But these were really few incidences.
Generally September, is a still a good month, in October and November the prices will decrease due to the increase in volume and then, by December, there will be more competition with the first fruit from Chile”, concludes Julio.
For more information:
Julio Ruiz-Tagle
Asia & America Manager
D-Quality Survey BV
www.dqualitysurvey.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +56992500021 (Chile Phone) / +8613229312404 (China Phone/Whatsapp/Wechat)
