Based on the climatic anomalies recorded in 2023, the 2023/2024 blueberry harvest season in Peru would record a 20% lower volume compared to the previous campaign, reaching 228,000 tons, Proarandanos estimated.

Thus, Chilean producers capitalize on the situation of our country (the world's leading exporter of this fruit) to promote their shipments by air.

The president of the Chilean Blueberry Committee, Andrés Armstrong, highlighted that the challenges facing the blueberry industry in Peru led to an increase in orders for Chilean blueberries. In the current campaign, air shipments increased 209%.

“Lower exports from Peru at the beginning of our season created the opportunity for more air shipments. Peru has been low and late all season.

We also. Our production windows are very complementary,” she commented.

Although he acknowledged that the total volumes of Chilean blueberries have decreased and sea shipments have also decreased (38%), he highlighted that they still expect a prolonged end to their season, compared to previous campaigns.

In sum, they maintain the expectation of exporting 73,500 tons, Fresh Plaza reported.

Peru still limits Mexican advance

By 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that Mexico's blueberry production will reach 81,000 tons. Thus, it would report an increase of 8% compared to 2023 due to sufficient access to water and growing demand for exports.

However, said progress would show a slower growth rate than the previous year due to competition from Peru, according to the aforementioned entity.

“(Mexico's) production in 2023 reached about 74,800 tons, an increase of 12% over the previous year due to innovations in production and strong export demand. Blueberry exports totaled 71,509 tons in 2022,” he concluded.