Posts Tagged “Peruvian blueberry exports”
Global blueberry exports reached 1 million tons in 2024, garnering revenues of $6.73 billion. Peru remained the leading exporter with 31-percent of the volume , followed by Chile, Spain, and Morocco, each with 8 percent, and the United States with 7 percent, according to Agraria, citing figures from Fluctuante.
Morocco climbed from seventh to fourth place in just one year, consolidating its rank among the top five exporters worldwide. The move reinforces its position as one of the most dynamic emerging players in the industry.
Morocco has increased its position in the international blueberry trade from 2009 through 2024, going from exporting just 636 tons to reaching a record 83,000 tons in 2024. This growth, with an average annual rate of 43 percent, reflects the consolidation of a dynamic and competitive industry that has taken advantage of its natural, technological, and geographical advantages.
This has resulted in Morocco managing to consolidate its presence in major international destinations, becoming one of the five largest blueberry exporters in the world.
Morocco plans to maintain an upward trend in its blueberry exports, both in terms of volume and value. The incorporation of new production areas, such as Dakhla and areas in the Atlas Mountains, will allow for an extended harvest season and more precise response to the demand windows of various international markets.
This territorial expansion, along with constant developments in agricultural practices, will contribute to strengthening the stability of Moroccan supply and improving its responsiveness compared to its main global competitors, such as Spain, Chile, and Peru.
At the same time, local exporters are adopting a more strategic and professional approach, adjusting their business models to address price volatility and establishing more direct links with destination markets.
If this trend continues, Morocco will not only consolidate its presence in Europe but will also be better positioned to gain access to new destinations such as Asia and the Middle East, thus strengthening its role within the global blueberry supply chain in the coming years.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA, a leader in fresh berries, reports its has strong volumes now arriving from Peru.
The news release nots its harvest is a key part of the company’s year-round supply strategy, ensuring consistent availability of high-quality fruit.
The Peruvian blueberry season is now underway, with strong volumes expected to last through the end of the year. Conventional blueberry volumes are anticipated to reach their peak from the last week of October until mid December, offering a robust supply for the remainder of the year. Organic volumes from the region are forecasted to be steady and consistent throughout this same period.
This strong supply from Peru will be complemented by harvests from other key growing regions, including Chile and Mexico, further strengthening the company’s ability to provide a seamless, continuous supply of fresh blueberries.
“We’re extremely pleased with the start of our Peruvian blueberry season and the strong volumes we are seeing,” shares Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms. “Our focus remains on providing a year-round supply of the highest quality blueberries, and the ongoing harvests from Peru, complemented by other regions, allow us to maintain excellent availability for our retail and foodservice partners.”
To ensure optimum quality, California Giant’s quality control process is rigorous. The company ships directly from its Peruvian grower locations to its distribution sites, as well as its Santa Maria blueberry packing facility that features a state-of-the-art Unitec sorting line.
This advanced technology meticulously sorts blueberries for color, firmness, size, and other quality indicators, ensuring that only the highest-quality berries are packaged into each clamshell.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
California Giant Berry Farms provides year-round supply of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries set the standard for quality and consistencyfor retailers, foodservice, and consumers. Over four decades as a privately held US family farming company, it has evolved into a global family united by a passion for delivering excellence.
The 2024-2025 Peruvian blueberry season concluded with over 320,000 tons shipped to destination markets, representing a 40% increase year-on-year, according to industry data. The majority of the exports, approximately 55%, were sent to the United States, as noted by Fluctuante CEO David Sandoval.
Sandoval emphasized the need for market diversification, stating, “We need to diversify the countries to which we deliver this product and, above all, focus on opening new markets.” He also highlighted that the industry continues to favor temperature-resistant cultivars, primarily Ventura and Biloxi, due to their resilience against climatic challenges. “Producers have continued to focus on Ventura and Biloxi, and have not yet clearly switched to other premium or licensed varieties.”
The CEO explained that the continued preference for these varieties is driven by return on investment considerations. “For us to develop Sekoya and other licensed varieties, we require a lot of investment, and that investment ultimately has to be reflected when selling the fruit.” He also noted that in the U.S. market, supermarkets show little interest in specific varieties, as blueberries often arrive mixed in final packages, with consumer preferences centering on the fruit’s crunchiness, visual appeal, and freshness.
Sandoval questioned whether further investment in licensed varieties is justified, given the high costs involved. “We are in a productive and exporting development phase, we are the first, and that is to be applauded, but in any case, if we don’t promote it, if we don’t say it, the consumer won’t notice it,” he said.
He observed that Asian markets, especially China, pay premiums for licensed varieties, whereas in the U.S., price differences are minimal. “In some weeks, the price of Ventura and Biloxi is even higher than that of licensed varieties,” he added, suggesting that the transition to newer licensed cultivars remains slow.
Peru’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) reported that the country is consolidating its position as the world’s leading exporter of blueberries, with record sales surpassing $2.27 billion by the end of 2024. The current campaign will continue through April 2025.
According to MIDAGRI, Peru exported 326,000 tons of blueberries by the end of 2024, marking a 57% increase compared to 2023.
More than 11% of exports were organic, targeting an essential segment of the international market.
Although Peru strengthened its role as the top blueberry exporter in 2024, shipments to some markets declined in 2023. Countries such as Mexico and Colombia faced similar trends, reducing overall supply and driving up international prices. This contributed to a 23% increase in the value of Peruvian blueberry exports compared to 2022.
Quantity and quality of blueberries
If climatic disruptions such as El Niño or La Niña—marked by high temperatures, heavy rains, or water shortages—do not impact crops, Peruvian blueberry exports could exceed 350,000 tons this year.
In 2024, the United States remained the top destination for Peruvian blueberries, accounting for 55% of total shipments, followed by the Netherlands (21%) and Hong Kong (9%). These three markets together represented 85% of total exports.
Additionally, exports to India, Russia, Taiwan, Singapore, Belgium, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are expected to grow, with China also showing substantial increases in demand.
2025 exports of Peruvian blueberries got off to a much slower beginning compared to the same month in 2024.
Exports totaled 23,454 tons worth $110.31 million, which represented a decrease of 15 percent in volume and 41 percent in value, with an average price of 4.70 per kilogram (-31.3 percent).
A primary factor in this drop was the reduction in shipments to China, which went from $15 million in January 2024 to only $2 million in 2025, along with the general drop in the price of the product, according to Fresh Fruit.
Throughout the month, Peruvian blueberries reached 24 countries, of which the U.S. remained the main destination, with a share of 64 percent. 14,721 tons were exported to this market for a value of $70.51 million, with an average price of $4.79 per kilogram. Compared to January 2024, shipments to this country fell by 1 percent in volume and 30 percent in value, with a 29 percent reduction in average cost.
The Netherlands was the second destination with a 21 percent share. Exports to this market reached 5,151 tons for a value of $23.24 million, with an average price of $4.51 per kilogram. In terms of annual variation, the exported volume increased by 33 percent, although the value fell by 12 percent and the average cost decreased by 34 percent.
The United Kingdom closed the podium with 1,791 tons exported, generating a value of $7.34 million. The average price of blueberries in this market was $4.10 per kilogram, which represented a 45 percent drop compared to 2024. However, the volume shipped increased by 37 percent, while the total value of exports to this destination decreased by 25 percent.
On the other hand, in January, almost 70 Peruvian agro-exporters participated, of which the most prominent were Camposol S.A., with a 30 percent share; Hortifrut – Perú S.A.C., with 14 percent; and Blueberries Perú S.A.C., with 10 percent. In 2024, the largest exporters were Camposol (25 percent), Hortifrut (13 percent) and Agrovisión (6 percent). Camposol and Hortifrut increased their market share, while Agrovisión left the podium and was replaced by Blueberries Perú S.A.C.
In terms of markets served, Camposol concentrated its exports in the United States (69 percent) and the Netherlands (27 percent) in 2025, increasing its presence in these markets compared to 2024, when its share in the United States was 53 percent and in the Netherlands 14 percent.
Hortifrut prioritized the United States (67 percent) and the Netherlands (14 percent), while in 2024 these percentages were 50 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Blueberries also had a change in its market focus, with a greater presence in Saudi Arabia (11 percent), while in 2024 it exported mainly to the United States (60 percent) and the Netherlands (14 percent).
Regarding the ports, Terminales Portuarios Euroandinos concentrated 42.4 percent of shipments; followed by DP World, with 27.6 percent; and APM Terminals, with 24.2 percent. The General San Martín – Paracas Port Terminal had a 4 percent share, while the Jorge Chávez International Airport represented 2.3 percent.
Between January and November of last year, Peruvian fresh blueberry exports set a new record.
Agraria reports for the first time, an agricultural product has surpassed the $2 billion mark in exports. Those exports totaled $2.1 billion in the first eleven months of 2024. This far surpassed the $1.72 billion reached during all of 2023. This signaled a return to the normal trend in the production of “blues” after weather related problems of the previous year.
This year, with stabilized production, the higher prices recorded after the 2023 shortage showed a downward trend, reaching levels closer to 2022.
In November 2024 alone, Peruvian fresh blueberry exports totaled 80,311 tons for $387 million, reflecting an increase of 106 percent in volume and 18 percent in value compared to what was reported in the same month of the previous year, although with a 43 percent drop in the average price, which stood at $4.82 per kilogram.
The Peruvian product reached 31 countries in November, of which the U.S. continued to be the main destination, with 41,269 tons exported for $190 million. This represented 49 percent of the monthly total with a 75 percent increase in volume, but a 10 percent drop in value compared to November 2023, when shipments reached $210 million.
The average price suffered a decrease of 48 percent, going from $8.92 in 2023 to $4.61 this year.
Among the main exporters to this market were Camposol S.A., with a 12 percent share, and Agrovisión Perú S.A.C., with 11 percent. In 2023, the leaders were Agrícola Cerro Prieto S.A. (13 percent) and Hortifrut – Perú S.A.C. (12 percent).
As for shipments, these were mostly sent by sea, where 41 percent of what was exported in November was through Euroandino Port Terminals, followed by DP World (28 percent), APM Terminals (25 percent) and the General San Martín Paracas Port Terminal (5 percent).
The remaining 1 percent was sent through Jorge Chávez International Airport.
Proarándanos, an association of blueberry producers and exporters in Peru, has reported the 2024-2025 Peruvian blueberry season, although progressing at a slower pace compared to previous seasons, is showing higher volumes.
The Peruvian blueberry season goes from May 2024 to April 2025.
To date, 254,406 tons of Peruvian blueberries have been exported, with 89% being conventional and 11% organic. Compared to the same date last season, this represents a growth of 61%, the association stated.
Almost 30,000 tons of organic blueberries have been shipped worldwide, and it is projected that the season will end with nearly 40,000 tons. Unlike past seasons, when almost 100% of organic blueberries went to the United States, this year 89% is destined for the U.S., with 10% going to the European market.
The peak week of the 2024-2025 season occurred in mid October, during which 22,348 tons of fresh blueberries were exported. This contrasts with the peak of the 2023-2024 season, recorded the last week of October, and in mid September for the 2022-2023 season.
The entity reported that 97% of the total volume exported has been shipped by sea. The main ports of arrival by destination are the Port of Philadelphia, with a 58% share of the volume exported to the United States; the Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), with 72% of the volume exported to all of Europe (excluding Russia); the Port of Shenzhen, with 72% of the volume exported to China; the Port of Dover, with 44% of the volume exported to the United Kingdom; and the Port of Kaohsiung, with 18% of the volume exported to other destinations.
In 2024, Peru had 49,903 acres certified and inspected by SENASA.
Proarándanos indicated that 67% of the total hectares consist of five varieties: Ventura from Fallcreek with 26%, Biloxi with 16%, Sekoya Pop from Sekoya with 14%, Rocio from Hortifrut with 8%, and finally, Mágica from Ozblu with 5%, most of which are located in the north of the country, in the department of La Libertad.
The next 23% of the hectares are distributed among 12 varieties, with Fallcreek’s Atlasblue and Emerald standing out with 8% between them.
Continuing with the analysis of varieties per hectare of the current blueberry season, the companies that have contributed the most with their genetics are Fallcreek with 32% representation, followed by open varieties with 19%, Sekoya with 16%, Hortifrut with 9% and Driscolls with 8%. The remaining 16% is divided between Ozblu, Mbo, Inkasberries, Planasa, Florida University, and Iq Berries.
Proarándanos indicated that during the 2024-2025 season, shipments of fresh Peruvian blueberries will reach a total volume of 323,928 tons. This amount represents a variation of +4.1 % in relation to the October estimate (311,202 tons).
“A Blue Ocean Strategy” is a recent report by intelligence firm Fluctuante, which studied Peru’s status as the world’s top blueberry exporter. The company reports the current Peruvian season shows a recovery, not growth, relating to last year’s El Nino phenomenon. The weather reduced production an adversely affected trade.
From mid April through June Peru exported 155,000 tons of blueberries, valued at $1.26 billion and priced at $8.13 per kilogram. While this represents an increase from 112,000 tons in the previous period, it was noted it is still 19% below the 2022-2023 season’s 200,000 tons.
While there is an increase from 112,000 to 155,000 tons, in reality, it was a recovery. When one looks at the 2022-23 seaon for the same period, there was200,000 tons exported.
The industry has grown by 40% compared to the previous season, “but the trade is still 19% under the 2022-23 season.
Fluctuante attributed the recovery to improved yields, with 80% of growth coming from higher productivity on existing plantations and the remaining 20% from new acreage.
In 2016, the top exporting regions were La Libertad and Trujillo. However, new players are entering the board.
That production will grow in two directions in the coming years. 80% will be coming from the growth in yields in the plantations already established, with more tons per hectare produced; and the remaining 20% will be represented by new land producing fruit.
The Peruvian Blueberry Growers & Exporters Association (Proarándanos) is forecasting a decrease in blueberry exports this coming season.
In the organization’s latest export projection update, Proarándanos forecasts that during the 2024/25 campaign, fresh blueberry shipments will reach a total volume of 293,841 tons, a 5.3% decrease compared to the June 2023 estimate of 310,317 tons.
The Peruvian blueberry season usually lasts from May 2024 to April 2025. Peak production is projected to occur in week 43, with 17,148 tons.
The main destinations for Peruvian blueberries are the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and China. The report shows that shipments to the United States are expected to reach 147,579 tons, a 17% increase compared to the 2023/24 campaign, but a 4% decrease compared to 2022/23.
In Europe, excluding the United Kingdom, exports are expected to reach a total of 75,122 tons, a 50% growth compared to the 2023/24 campaign. In the United Kingdom, the report estimates a total of 17,328 tons, a 27% increase compared to the 2023/24 campaign, and a 22% increase compared to the 2022/23 period.
In China, shipments are projected to reach 48,397 tons, an 84% increase compared to the previous campaign and a 31% increase compared to 2022/23.
September and October account for about 50% of the annual Peruvina blueberry exports, according to ProArándanos, the Association of Blueberry Producers and Exporters of Peru.
Peru’s fresh blueberry exports have increased over the past decade. However, after years of steady growth, there a drop in production last year, declining from 286,000 tons to 224,000 tons, due to weather factors.
ProArandanos reports last season, almost 56% of the total volume was shipped to the United States. Europe was the second-largest market, accounting for 30%, with the Netherlands alone making up about 20%.
Next is China, where last season organic blueberries accounted for 12%, while the remaining 5% is distributed among more than 20 countries including South America, Central America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
While exports primarily occur in September, October, and November, Peruvian grapes are actually shipped the year around.
In 2016 Peru had less than 2,000 hectares planted, 90% was in La Libertad, and at the close of last year the total hectares certified for export were over 18,000 hectares.
La Libertad is still the main region in terms of number of hectares, but its share dropped by half, at 45%, due to the growth of other regions such as Lambayeque and Ica.