The Peruvian blueberry season has started with good volumes this year after two years of limited availability. "We don't see any issues with the after-effects of El Niño, and the plants look good. There will be a good volume from Peru regardless," says Lucas Wennekers of Bessies in De Lier.
"We'll have to wait and see how prices develop, but for now, prices are at a good level. The European season in the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland finished early, and in Poland in particular, growers faced lower quality due to heavy rainfall. So when Peru entered the market two or three weeks ago, demand was immediately strong. We are now in the last week of the European harvest, and everyone is switching to Peru," Lucas explains.
© Bessies
"Until the end of the year, I don't expect bulk fruit prices to reach 4 to 5 euros per kilo. After that, we usually see a tipping point when Peru's supply peaks and Chile also comes onto the market," says the berry importer. In addition, Lucas continues to import the late variety Centra Blue from Spain's Huelva. "It's a variety not normally grown in southern Spain, but it is performing well, which allows us to extend the season."
Market potential Asia
© Bessies"I am currently focusing mainly on sales to the UK, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. I also want to expand exports to Asia, which is why I'll be attending Asia Fruit Logistica next week. There is a lot of potential in Asian markets, not only in China, where a large volume of local fruit is grown, but also in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. I already ship a significant volume of Ethiopian strawberries in that direction and now want to start flying berries directly to Asia from Peru and Chile."
The Ethiopian strawberry season begins in late September or early October, with normal volumes available until early March, after which supplies decline rapidly. "Most of Ethiopia's strawberries are exported to the Middle East. Only a few serious growers are GlobalGAP-certified and able to export to Europe. I work with a grower who has certification in place and has now started a modern 5-hectare rack crop, so I have high expectations. But these are long-term projects. From a cultivation perspective, Ethiopia is a fantastic country, with no shortage of land or labor. The issue is the lack of stability. Last year, for example, the government suddenly released the exchange rate, which caused costs to rise sharply for foreign growers."
Lucas founded Bessies just over two years ago. The name is both a nod to his Westland roots and a reference to his focus on African soft fruit production. "My goal is still to develop blueberry production in East Africa. But with these small-scale projects, it takes time to build enough volume for the European market. That's why I am importing more and more blueberries from Chile and Peru."
Inflation versus premium berries
The importer does not expect blueberry consumption to decline. "But I do think the large-scale push for premium varieties also has a risky side. Everyone seems to want to grow only the largest and sweetest berries available. In my view, betting on new premium varieties that can be sold at higher prices doesn't align with rising inflation and shrinking disposable incomes. There is also a large consumer group that barely eats blueberries now because of the price. That group is where the real growth potential lies, which means focusing more on standard varieties that can deliver volume. Only a small group can afford premium berries, while the much larger group that consumes little or no soft fruit due to high prices is where future growth will come from."
For more information:
Lucas Wennekers
Bessies
Mob: +31 (0) 6 39663271
[email protected]
