The El Niño phenomenon has once again made its presence felt, leaving its mark on Peru's blueberry industry. This year, the country experienced an unusually warm winter, with temperatures soaring 4 to 5 degrees Celsius higher than normal. Amidst this climatic anomaly, various companies, including Alpine Fresh, are navigating challenges and opportunities in the blueberry market.
Shanghai Fruitful International represents Alpine Fresh Peruvian blueberries on the Chinese market. The company director, Gabriel Figueroa, talks about the season's smooth start.
Alpine Fresh, a prominent US-based company, has invested significantly in Peru's blueberry sector. The company operates a farm in Peru and works together with several overseas businesses, including Shanghai Fruitful International. Supported by Shanghai Fruitful International, Alpine Fresh supplies clients in cities like Jiaxing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Fuzhou, who then distribute the blueberries to other markets in China. With these key clients, Alpine Fresh's presence in those markets contributes to the steady flow of blueberries to Chinese consumers.
Celebrating the first arrival of the 2023/24 Peruvian blueberry season
Gabriel Figueroa enjoys a smooth start to the early import seasons: "Peru boasts a robust blueberry industry, with traditional varieties like Biloxi and Ventura taking center stage. The adaptability of these varieties to Peru's climate has propelled the country's blueberry success story. In recent years, many newer varieties including Sekoya Pop and and Sekoya Beauty Low-Zero Chill premium varieties, have come into production. For traditional Varieties, at this early start of the season, they seem to encounter issues such as smaller sizes, quality problems, and lower volume. However, our Ventura and Sekoya berries, are showing very stable quality in the market as expected."
To the right, Gabriel Figueroa
Peru's climate allows for year-round blueberry production, with peak seasons during months when the Northern Hemisphere is less active.
"Alpine Fresh's decision to commence early shipment arrivals, starting as early as week 29, highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality blueberries to the Chinese market. Generally, Chinese consumers favor larger sizes, visible bloom, and low sourness balanced with good sweetness," says Gabriel.
He continues: "In the event of Peru, no good quality from Peru is on the market as early as we are; we were the only solid ones navigating this period. Chinese consumers like crunchy, large, with visible bloom, and low sourness with sweetness. Jumbo sizes are very popular too. Besides the good quality reputation of Sekoya varieties in China, in Peru they are considered from the group of berries with 'long legs', which means they are able to travel far. Once on arrival, the berry has a crunch like an apple."
According to Gabriel understanding Chinese consumer habits is crucial for success in the blueberry market. Unlike Western practices of adding blueberries to yogurt or cereal, Chinese consumers prefer to enjoy blueberries individually as a crunchy, standalone snack. Alpine Fresh adapts to these preferences by offering clamshells of 125 grams, as well as a special 500-gram packaging option for some retail-focused programs.
Celebrating Peru's National day in Shanghai, where free Sekoya blueberry samples were distributed to the participants
The current El Niño effect has posed challenges. Leading estimations speak about reduced fruit yields by 10% to 20% in Peru this year. The company's commitment to producing high-quality blueberries from its own farm and new packing house Bomarea, located in Olmos, further showcases its dedication to providing high-quality berries 'with long legs'.
Gabriel concludes enthusiastically: "In our case, our success in these first weeks of the 2023/2024 blueberry seasons we owe to our strategic vision, precise planning, and a touch of luck!"
Gabriel will be a Fruit Logistica together with Alpine Fresh: Booth: 5-5C16 x
For more information:
Gabriel Figueroa
Commercial Director at Shanghai Fruitful International.
Mob: +86 13916250254
Email: [email protected]
Alpine Fresh
http://alpinefresh.com
Fruit Logistica: Booth: 5-5C16
