Peru consolidated itself as a leading supplier of blueberries in 2021, concentrating 25.1% of the total, and in 2022 exports have continued to grow. Between January and July, blueberry exports amounted to $209,479,000, i.e. 123.4% more than in the same period of last year. Peru exported its blueberries to a total of 25 markets in these first months of the year. The United States was the main destination with a 106.1% increase in shipments and accounting for 52.8% of total shipments.
Other markets that experienced significant increases in this period were China (421% variation), the Netherlands (90%), the United Kingdom (253.9%), Hong Kong (49.3%), Canada (84.1%), Thailand (54%), Brazil (75.9%), Spain (699.8%), Malaysia (23.3%), and Costa Rica (142%).
According to the ADEX Data Trade Commercial Intelligence system, this berry ranked second in last year's non-traditional agro-export offer, after fresh grapes, and ahead of avocados, asparagus, and mangoes.
"Consumers throughout the world are prioritizing the consumption of fresh products with nutrients that strengthen health, and blueberry conforms to these characteristics. While demand will continue to increase, it is important to take into account several elements that will help strengthen our position as a leading global exporter,” stated Lizbeth Pumasunco, the head of ADEX's Center for Research in Global Economics and Business (CIEN) Consulting and Projects Department.
One of these elements is the oversupply, not only in Peru but in other producing countries that could put downward pressure on prices. A second element is the blueberry's organoleptic characteristics.
“The other elements are training producers, promoting good agricultural practices to ensure their safety and to increase productivity, and identifying more international buyers. Our guild organized the Expoalimentaria last September and the blueberry was one of the most sought-after products,” she stated.
Somerfield Farms South America Business Developer, Eder Rios, said buyers valued the firmness and size of the fruit. "If it's bigger than 18 millimeters, it belongs to the jumbo presentation, and if it is more than 20 millimeters to the superjumbo presentation. These are the presentations that generate the best returns," he stated.
Source: larepublica.pe