With a strong emphasis on the global blueberry trade scenario, international logistics and the competitiveness strategies of the main players in the sector, the first day of the XXXIX International Blueberry Seminar took place, an event that brings together producers, exporters, researchers and technology companies linked to the crop in the Peruvian capital.

The program for the first day addressed the main challenges facing the industry in this new stage of global expansion: market evolution, the increasing logistical complexity of international trade, and the need to maintain fruit quality on increasingly longer journeys.

The discussions led to a widely shared conclusion among the attendees: blueberries continue to be one of the fruits with the greatest growth potential in the global fruit industry. However, the business has entered a more mature phase where operational efficiency, market intelligence, and consistent product quality have become decisive factors for competitiveness.

© Blueberries Consulting

A rapidly expanding global market

The day began with a macro look at trade flows and consumption habits in the blueberry industry, highlighting how the product has managed to consolidate itself as one of the most dynamic fruits within the global berry market.

During the last decade, the sector's growth has been driven by the expansion of cultivation into new producing regions and by an ever-increasing international demand, favored by the positioning of blueberries as a healthy and functional food.

In this context, Peru continues to play a central role in the international market, consolidating its position as one of the drivers of global growth in the sector. However, one of the most discussed aspects in the analyses presented was the stability of international prices over the last decade, even in a scenario of strong supply growth, suggesting that the expansion of consumption has managed to absorb the increase in production.

© Blueberries Consulting

Genetics as a driver of value

One of the most discussed points during the morning was the growing role of genetics in the blueberry business structure.

Analysis of international prices showed that variety has become one of the main drivers of product value, surpassing even traditional variables such as origin or marketing window.

New genetics allow for firmer fruit with improved texture and greater capacity to withstand long logistical journeys—attributes that are now crucial for competing in increasingly demanding international markets. This process is accelerating varietal replacement in several producing countries, progressively redefining the competitive landscape of the sector.

Logistics: the new battlefield

If genetics determines the value of a product, logistics begins to define the competitiveness of the business. This was the central theme of the seminar's first panel discussion, which brought together representatives from the port sector, foreign trade specialists, and executives from the export industry.

Participants agreed that the efficiency of the logistics chain has become a decisive factor in maintaining the quality of blueberries on journeys of thousands of kilometers, especially considering that about 96% of the fruit is transported by sea.

In this context, one of the most frequently mentioned topics was the potential impact of the Chancay megaport, whose opening promises to improve Peru's trade connectivity with Asia and open new opportunities for the sector. The challenge for the country will be to close internal logistics gaps and strengthen connectivity throughout the export chain to consolidate Peru as a true regional agricultural export hub.

© Blueberries Consulting

An increasingly integrated industry

The second panel of the day addressed the reconfiguration of the global blueberry map, bringing together representatives from some of the leading producing and exporting companies in the sector.

Among them was Juan José Gal' Lino, director of agricultural operations at Agrovisión, who highlighted the increasingly integrated nature of the business:

"The blueberry industry is increasingly dependent on an efficient and coordinated logistics chain that allows the quality of the fruit to be maintained during journeys of thousands of kilometers."

The discussion concluded that the sector's growth will continue to be driven by genetic innovation, technological development, and expanding consumption in new markets. However, it also became clear that the major challenge for producers will be maintaining profitability in an increasingly competitive and sophisticated market environment.

An industry entering a new stage

Beyond the various topics covered, the first day of the seminar left a clear overall impression among the attendees.

The blueberry industry continues to grow, but it is also becoming more complex and demanding. Competition among origins is increasing, markets are demanding greater consistency in quality, and logistics is becoming an increasingly crucial element for commercial success.

In this new scenario, industry leadership will increasingly depend on the ability to integrate genetics, technology, logistics, and market intelligence within a single business strategy.

During the next session, the seminar will continue to delve deeper into these challenges, consolidating Lima as one of the main spaces for strategic debate on the future of the global blueberry industry.