Argentine blueberries close to the opening of new markets thanks to the offer of new varieties
The blueberry sector in Argentina, after facing a strong crisis (2008/2009), is finally consolidated and aspires to growth and the opening of new markets with an offer of new varieties.
We spoke with Inés Peláez, general manager of the Argentine Blueberry Committee, who told us how this new season of Argentine blueberries is presented.
Peláez reported that for this 2016/2017 season an export of 17.500 tons is expected from Argentina. The first shipments were made from week 33, destined mainly to the United States and the United Kingdom.
"The good thing about this year is that there was winter, last year there were almost no cold hours".
He explained that in 2015 they only had 260 hours of cold, compared to 660 this year, 158% more than “It greatly favored the harvest. "It has been 50 years since there has been such an even and continuous winter.", he indicated.
Regarding the fruit, he indicated that "What we have here is an exceptional flavor due to the climate we have and the varieties we plant, since an important varietal change was made".
Initially Argentina worked with the O'neal and Misty varieties, but these have already been almost entirely replaced. Currently, most of the area is planted with varieties that are best adapted to the geoclimatic conditions of the producing regions of Argentina, such as Emerald, Snow Chaser and Star.
“In Argentina, more than anything else, the sector is consolidating. Growth is only expected from this year ”.
"You have to think that we had a very big crisis around 2008/2009, with a very important reduction in hectares, so it took a while to adapt," he said, adding that "after that, the producers worked very hard on the issue. of varieties and from this varietal change, I believe that the real potential of Argentina will begin to be seen ”.
On new markets, Inés Peláez informed that currently "We are trying to close the protocol with China. We are in the final stage, although we do not know when the signature will be made, we estimate that by the end of this year it will be closed ".
On the other hand, he added that it is also trying to open the markets of Taiwan, South Korea and some others.
Argentina will be jointly with Uruguay of the Summit of the International Organization of Blueberries (IBO Summit 2016) that will be developed between the 20 and 22 of September in Concordia and Salto.
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