In Peru, amid the arid expanse of the Pisco Desert, blueberry bushes stand out notably, adapting through genetic advancements. Traditional varieties required cool nights, but newer iterations, such as Eureka Sunset, now thrive 250 kilometers south of Lima, once reserved for grape cultivation. These berries, present on U.S. shelves for over a decade, are now seeing interest from a new market: China.
With rising production, Peruvian growers seek diversified markets as the U.S. engages in a tariff conflict globally. China's demand is vast, and a newly constructed port near Lima slashes Pacific shipping time by half. Miguel BentÃn, Valle y Pampa farm's general manager, stated, "There will be a rebalancing of export share to different markets." The farm started in 2012 when the harvest was a fraction of its current size.
Historically, the desert supported grapes for Pisco brandy, yet blueberry cultivation has shifted the landscape. Growers extract water by drilling up to 100 meters deep to sustain crops, employing local workers for maintenance.
Source: Reuters