Latin America's blueberry exports are surging, driven by global demand, but growers face challenges from weather disruptions, labour shortages, and rising sustainability expectations, says Sukhdeep Sethi, Managing Director of AVI Global Plast: "Peru's record 326,000-ton export season in 2024-2025 and Mexico's expansion into Asian markets highlight the need for strategies to ensure quality and market access. Peru's blueberry exports jumped 57% in 2024-2025, fuelled by improved weather and irrigation projects. Mexico's berry sector is the region's fastest-growing, with new access to China, while Uruguay and Argentina target China and Japan, respectively. This growth reflects global demand, driven by health-conscious consumers, with North America (55%), Europe (29%), and China (13%) as top markets, and Asia's share rising steadily."
Exporters face significant obstacles, according to Sethi. Weather risks, labor shortages, rising costs for fertilizers and energy strain profitability are all part of the game. "Local packaging industries struggle to meet punnet demand, forcing reliance on imports. Sea transits of 25-35 days to Europe or Asia risk spoilage, making quality preservation critical. Innovative packaging is helping address some of these issues. Quality upon arrival has become the defining factor in securing premium market positioning, especially for shipments to increasingly competitive Asian markets," Sethi states.
Packaging trends reflect the blueberry industry's focus on sustainability and performance. Recycled PET (rPET) punnets are favoured for their clarity, strength, and recyclability, aligning with worldwide laws curbing plastic waste and virgin plastic use like UK Plastic Tax and EU PPWR legislations. Innovations like air cushioning or capillaries eliminate bubble or absorbent pads, enhancing recyclability and cutting costs.
"We're seeing a clear trend toward packaging that contributes to shelf-life extension, sustainability goals, and improved packing efficiency, with top-seal punnets designed for automation gaining traction in facilities facing labor shortages," Sethi notes. "The conversation has shifted from eliminating plastic to using it responsibly. For soft fruits specifically, alternative materials simply haven't delivered the performance needed to maintain quality during extended transits."
Punnets like those from AVI Global Plast, offering rPET clamshells and top-seal designs in 4.4 oz to 18 oz/quart sizes, are tailored for blueberries and provide ventilation to manage moisture during long transits. "The structural integrity of packaging during long transit periods is perhaps the most overlooked factor in maintaining fruit quality," Sethi explains. "Our blueberry punnets incorporate ventilation patterns to manage moisture levels while maintaining structural stability even when stacked."
"With a nine-week lead time, including shipping, AVI supports exporters in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Argentina through sample testing and inventory reserves. Our production capacity allows us to accommodate the volume requirements of major export programs while maintaining competitive pricing. AVI also provides technical guidance and documentation like recycled content declarations or food safety compliance needed to satisfy import market requirements," Sethi says.
Those attending Fruit Attraction or the Global Produce & Floral Show in 2025 can explore these solutions first-hand. "We're excited to discuss how packaging can enhance supply chains for Latin American exporters and ensure their blueberries reach global markets fresh and compliant", Sethi concludes.
For more information:
Sukhdeep Singh Sethi
AVI Global Plast
Email: [email protected]
https://avigloplast.com/