Argentina: Low volumes of blueberries due to climate

16/10/2015

The low temperatures in Argentina have affected the volumes of blueberries that the markets are receiving from this country, where it is expected that the production rate will take its normal course from the 43 / 44 week.

The Committee of Cranberries of Argentina (ABC) reported that the late frosts of the spring are the main focus of attention of local producers, "however no one expected a so slow takeoff of the 2015 season," said the entity.

"In addition, the threat of El Niño continues to be latent since the weather forecast predicts a rainy season", Agregó.

"As far as prices are concerned, importers should resign themselves to continue paying high prices for the fruit of Argentina, although in any case, this fact in no way compensates the producers of Argentina who suffer this circumstance lamenting the losses caused by hail and frosts ", the Committee informed.

Harvest advance

During week 41, a total of 710 tons of blueberries arrived at the different markets. Of the total, and as detailed by ABC, 473.7 tons were received by the US, followed by the United Kingdom (116.3 tons), the European Community (79.5 tons), Canada (29.5 tons) and Asia (7 tons).

The air shipments from the Benjamín Matienzo Airport in Tucumán totaled some 215 tons.

It should be remembered that in week 40 the expectations for shipments of Argentine blueberries were not met because the cold spring did not allow optimal ripening of the fruit at the levels that historically occurs for this date.

Source: Fruit Portal