Alicia Adler of the NABC on the export of blueberries to China: "August and September will be an optimal window for export this year"

The Chinese market opened to American blueberries a month ago, and according to Alicia Adler, vice president of the US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and North American Blueberry Council (NABC), that market has great potential. "The scale of this market is different from that of any other country because the population is very large. The number of people who can buy top quality imported fruit is really high, so the opportunities are greater, "he says.

Photo: US Highbush Blueberry Council

August and September will be an optimal window for export

China is currently in the domestic blueberry season, but when the season is over, the US will have plenty of opportunities to supply that market. “The biggest window will be in August and September of this season,” explains Adler. “This is when the Chinese home season will end. Peru usually starts reaching its peak volumes in September and October, and Chile doesn't arrive until November-December, but North America will reach its seasonal peak from mid-July to August, so the timing is perfect.”

Although this year the focus will be on August and September, next year the hope is to be able to supply China throughout the US season. “This year, given the timing of the market opening, combined with the pandemic and the High demand in the North American market, there is less pressure in the export markets. So this year we are focusing on raising awareness, building relationships with the importing community in China, and preparing for the 2021 season. Next year, we should be able to get a clearer picture of the opportunities we will have in the market".

Increased consumption and production

Blueberry production has been increasing around the world, with new countries and areas starting to produce higher volumes for export markets. “Globally, per capita blueberry consumption is only a fraction of that in North America, so that means there is tremendous opportunity to increase global blueberry consumption and demand. There are many emerging production areas in countries like Peru and Mexico, and even in Morocco, South Africa and Spain. It treats of new zones of production oriented to the export and increasingly able to take advantage of the emergent markets”.

Despite everything, North America remains the largest producer of high-end blueberries, according to Adler, although the United States faces unique challenges that are not a problem for other producing countries. “We have the challenge of tariffs, especially on export to China, which will definitely have an effect on how the market develops. There is a duty waiver option for importers, which will significantly reduce high taxes, and could be very helpful in developing the market in the short term.”

Photo: US Highbush Blueberry Council

Good production season in the United States

Currently, North America just wrapped up their season in California and is heading into the peak of their season in Oregon. “Oregon and Washington are two of the largest blueberry exporting states, and the Pacific Northwest is well positioned to take advantage of the Chinese market this year. Washington, Michigan and New Jersey are harvesting and will peak in late July and early August. Then British Columbia will harvest at the end of the Washington season in August and early September,” Adler continues.

This year's Florida season was hit hard by the pandemic, but luckily other growing areas haven't been as affected. “Florida farmers were hit hard in March, just as the economy ground to a halt. But since then, demand has picked up and we're seeing a very strong frozen market right now. He foodservice is still having problems, but demand in retailers it has been very good for fresh blueberries and records have been broken for frozen ones. Right now, the focus is on making sure we can continue to harvest and maintain a safe environment for everyone in the industry,” Adler concludes.

Photo: US Highbush Blueberry Council

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