Genetics, health, and climate adaptation marked the closing of the Trujillo 2026 International Blueberry Seminar

Genetics, health and climate adaptation marked the closing of the Trujillo 2026 International Blueberry Seminar

“The growth of the global blueberry industry will increasingly depend on the ability to integrate genetic innovation, agronomic management, and adaptation strategies in the face of an increasingly uncertain climate,” was the shared vision among researchers, advisors, and companies on the last day of the industry meeting in Trujillo.

09/07/2026

After two intense days of technical analysis, relevant commercial data, results of the latest research, and intense debates regarding the various aspects of the industry and cultivation, the XLII International Blueberry Seminar Trujillo 2026 He concluded by leaving a general idea that the blueberry has entered a new stage of development, where competitiveness no longer depends solely on producing more fruit, but on better understanding the behavior of the plants, anticipating the effects of climate change, and responding to consumers who demand consistent quality throughout the year.

While the first day focused on interpreting the productive and commercial scenario for the 2026-2027 season, the second day delved into the tools that will allow us to face that scenario, addressing everything from pest and disease management to the role of genetics and mitigation strategies in the face of the El Niño phenomenon. Thus, rather than independent conferences, the program ended up shaping an integrated vision of the future of the crop.

Climate change is no longer an external variable

The morning began with one of the most relevant concerns for Peruvian producers, worried about the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on the health behavior of the crop.

In your presentation, Jorge CastilloProfessor [Name], from the National Agrarian University La Molina, analyzed how changes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall alter the dynamics of the main pests affecting blueberries in Peru. His presentation reinforced a concept that permeated much of the seminar: climate change can no longer be considered an occasional phenomenon. Today, it constitutes a permanent factor that necessitates rethinking strategies for monitoring, prevention, and phytosanitary management. Therefore, modern production requires understanding not only the biology of pests but also how they respond to an increasingly variable environment.

Healthcare as part of competitiveness

The health analysis continued with the presentation of Jose Ramon Saucedo, a plant health scientist from Driscoll's Mexico, who addressed the management strategies for the mealybug and the tripsTwo of the main phytosanitary challenges for the industry. Her presentation showed how the effective control of these pests requires integrated programs, where timely monitoring, correct identification of biological cycles, and the rational use of control tools are fundamental to maintaining productivity and protecting the exportable quality of the fruit, because plant health is no longer just a technical component of agricultural management and today is a direct part of commercial competitiveness.

Francisco Aguiló International Blueberries Seminar Trujillo 2026 © Blueberries Consulting

Genetics redefines competition

One of the most anticipated moments of the seminar was the panel discussion dedicated to genetics, market demands and fruit quality, made up of representatives from some of the leading varietal improvement and genetic development companies in the industry.

Participated Juan Miguel Nemi (Fall Creek Peru), Marcelo Luengo (Planasa Peru), Borys Chong (BioTECHNOLOGIES) and Horacio Ozer Ami (ByBlue BV), who analyzed how new varieties are changing the way companies compete in international markets. The discussion made it clear that genetics can no longer be evaluated solely on its yield potential.

Today, a variety must simultaneously meet multiple requirements, such as productivity, climate adaptation, water use efficiency, firmness, flavor, post-harvest life, ease of handling, and the ability to satisfy increasingly demanding consumers. Genetic innovation has ceased to be solely an agronomic tool and has become one of the main strategic factors in the global blueberry business.

Adapt rather than react

The seminar concluded with a multidisciplinary panel dedicated to one of the major challenges currently facing the industry, namely mitigating the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The conversation brought together Jorge Retamales, Juan Hirzel, Walter Apaza, Jorge Castillo y Jessica Rodriguez, integrating perspectives from plant physiology, nutrition, phytopathology, entomology and post-harvest.

Rather than presenting isolated solutions, the panel demonstrated how the various components of agricultural management must work in a coordinated manner to reduce crop vulnerability to extreme weather events. The discussion highlighted that the resilience of a productive field begins long before a problem arises, as proper nutrition strengthens the plants' physiological response and effective pest and disease management mitigates subsequent risks.

Juan Hirzel International Blueberries Seminar Trujillo 2026 © Blueberries Consulting

An integrated industry

At the end of the meeting, a profound transformation in the way of understanding cultivation became evident. blueberrySince only a few years ago genetics, nutrition, diseases or the market were analyzed separately, and today these elements are part of the same system, because a new variety modifies nutritional programs; climate change alters the pressure of pests and diseases; the quality obtained in the field determines the behavior in post-harvest and all of this ends up influencing the consumer's perception and the commercial value of the fruit.

Trujillo consolidates itself as a center for technical discussion

With the participation of researchers, consultants, genetics companies, specialists in physiology, nutrition, plant health and post-harvest, the XLII International Blueberry Seminar Trujillo 2026 It once again consolidated itself as one of the main spaces for technical analysis for the Latin American industry of blueberryAnd during two days the meeting allowed for a review of the projections for the Peruvian campaign, an analysis of the evolution of the world market, a discussion of the impact of climate change and a look at the advances that will mark the future of the crop.

The conferences agreed that the industry's growth will continue, but it will be accompanied by more demanding consumers, increasingly intense international competition, and more complex production conditions. Therefore, responding to this scenario will require integrating scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and increasingly precise management of the field and the crop.

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Blueberries Consulting