As the seasons of blueberries As the Moroccan and Egyptian harvests draw to a close, Will Hill, managing director of producer and importer Colina Fruits, noted that the market continues to benefit from good fruit availability at the end of the season and consistent quality.

“It has been a really positive season in Morocco, and Egypt has taken very important steps in the production of blueberries“This is very encouraging for the industry,” Hill commented. “At this time of year, it’s a privilege to continue working with such high-quality fruit from these origins. We’re now entering a period of higher volumes from Spain, and naturally, most retailers are looking to transition to Spanish fruit, both for its quality and its shelf life.”

Good outlook for Spain and Portugal

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, Hill anticipates a stable supply from both Spain and Portugal.

“A good supply from Poland and other Eastern European countries also looks promising. The only recent concerns about weather conditions have arisen in South Africa, and for now it is still difficult to determine what impact these might have on the supply of blueberries “During the third and fourth quarters,” he explained.

In the UK, the local blueberry season is expected to begin in July, with the first volumes coming from Kent, before production ramps up more strongly in Herefordshire.

© Colina Fruit

Supply and prices under pressure

“So far there has been a good and consistent supply, both in conventional and premium sizes, and overall the season has been very positive,” Hill said.

However, he acknowledged that prices are facing some pressure as the market absorbs larger volumes of late-origin produce.

“Prices are currently under some pressure as the market manages these larger end-of-season volumes. Even so, we expect the market to stabilize in the coming weeks. That said, with warmer weather forecast for Spain, there is also the possibility that prices could strengthen quickly if production ends sooner than currently projected.”

In his opinion, the next three or four weeks will be especially relevant, and the start of the harvest in Eastern Europe will be key to maintaining market stability.

© Colina Fruit

Strong demand in the UK and Europe

According to Hill, demand in the UK has remained strong and steady throughout the season.

“Colina Fruits is currently very focused on the European market, and demand across Europe continues to grow, with the blueberries "already established as a regular product in consumers' weekly shopping," he noted.

Unlike other berries, whose commercial behavior tends to depend more on the weather, Hill pointed out that blueberries maintain a more stable demand throughout the year.

“To be fair, blueberries remain one of those key products that consumers buy regardless of the weather. Unlike strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, which tend to see sales peaks in warmer conditions, blueberries They have become such a strong category that demand remains consistently solid throughout the year.”