Following the El Niño year and the post-El Niño period of the last two years, large volumes were expected this year blueberries from Peru. "The last two years saw exorbitant prices in September and October, and everyone was expecting a normal year with a good supply this time.", comments Debra van den Oever, from the Dutch firm Berries Pride, based in De Lier.At the beginning of the season, there was considerable uncertainty about whether it would be possible to sell all those volumes, but to everyone's surprise, that fear has been unfounded, and we've had very good prices, even weeks with higher prices in Europe than in America and China. For example, around week 35, blueberries (14+) with a high acidity level in the 12x125-gram format reached $4-6/kg FOB Peru in China, and in the Dutch market, they reached $7-9/kg..

The potential of blueberries is endless
"Given the excellent harvests, this has resulted in a remarkable 48% increase in blueberry shipments from Peru to Europe between weeks 18 and 46. However, the market has surprised us with its capacity to absorb these volumes, demonstrating that blueberry consumption continues to grow. In my opinion, the potential of blueberries is limitless. There are still many countries unfamiliar with the product, and more and more countries are emerging as importers. For example, in a country like Uzbekistan, blueberries were relatively unknown until recently. Currently, in these countries, blueberries are still perceived as a luxury product, but I expect that if we begin to attract other consumer groups as well, volumes will increase, and consumption still has significant room for growth."

“When it became clear this summer that Peru would be supplying large volumes to the market, European retailers responded by planning promotions. This remains very important, because ideally, these extra volumes should not end up on the spot market. Especially in Germany, which is, after all, a major buyer, a large number of promotions have been organized,” says Debra. “And blueberries are increasingly being offered in larger packages. We’ve been seeing a lot of 500-gram packages; in Germany, even 750-gram packages, and we also have a one-kilo package ourselves, ideal for families, for example. We pack the imported blueberries ourselves here in the Netherlands, but with the Spanish and Moroccan seasons, producers can pack their product directly in the field, which simplifies handling and reduces costs.”

Responding to consumer taste preferences with new varieties
“The season in Peru had a quiet start because Ventura blueberry production had slowed down a bit. These are still the best-known, but the good news is that nowadays, thanks to the new varieties available, we can better respond to customers' taste preferences. For example, we sell a lot of Sekoya Pop for customers who prefer a crisp blueberry. We also have Bianca for those who prefer a sweeter flavor, and Abril for those looking for more aromatic blueberries. This allows us to meet the specific demands of each market. The Scandinavian market, for example, prefers blueberries with a firm texture and some acidity, while in Eastern Europe, they opt for sweeter blueberries. The great thing about Peru is that replanting can be done quickly, so the new varieties—which are often also more resistant to climate change—are commercially available in a relatively short time.”.

«Peru experienced very high humidity in May, June, and July of this year, which significantly slowed the physiological development of the plants. In fact, they even entered a dormant state. Depending on the variety and how pruning is carried out, we are seeing that, in general, yields are now falling more than expected, and consequently, we may not achieve the anticipated volumes. Each variety has responded differently. Especially in the case of Ventura, it seems that the second flowering has been somewhat weaker, and productivity has decreased. That's why some growers have decided to prune a little earlier.Berries Pride is fully committed to expanding cultivation in the north and south. "Up to 70% of the crops are in the north, but we strive to maintain a good balance between the north and the south, which have different climates. That's what allowed us to have good volumes even during El Niño."

José Castilla de los Santos, Debra van den Oever and Michael Aagaard, of Berries Pride. © Berries Pride

From a few boxes in 2013 to 3 million kilos per year
In a short time, Peru has become the world's largest exporter of blueberries. "This year, there are a total of 26.000 hectares dedicated to blueberry cultivation in Peru. New trial plots of 100 hectares are being planted at a time. Hence this rapid development," explains Debra, whose father is Dutch and mother Peruvian, and therefore has a natural connection to both countries. "I love witnessing this growth. We started with just a few boxes in Peru in 2013 and are now approaching 3 million kilos annually. At Berries Pride, we try to differentiate ourselves with new varieties and qualities. This year, for example, we launched the 20 and 22+ categories, which are specifically tailored to consumers' taste and usage preferences. Furthermore, our wholesale customers tend to prefer slightly larger blueberries."

On the other hand, the Chilean blueberry season is also just around the corner. "This year's campaign starts a week earlier, and volumes from Chile will reach their peak between weeks 4 and 7. We haven't sourced from Chile for four years now, as we've managed to combine the Peruvian and Moroccan seasons, which works well thanks to Peru's consistent quality and logistics. Given the decrease in Peruvian supply, we expect a smooth transition. From Chile, we anticipate a season similar to last year's, although that will also depend on demand from the US market."Debra continues. From the Netherlands, she says, it is difficult to achieve a prominent role in the export of Latin American blueberries to the Chinese market. “Many producers have offices there, and with the new port of Chancay, transit time between Peru and China has also been significantly reduced. Before, it could take up to 40 days with delays; now transit time has been reduced to just over three weeks. I think the best thing about the Chinese market is that it's the most honest and transparent when it comes to valuing blueberries. They don't like sour blueberries, and if you supply them with those, you're finished as a supplier.”

Ventura and Sekoya Pop. © Berries Pride

Better together
“That’s why, as a group, sustainability is in our DNA. We are constantly researching the impact of climate, water, and the environment in the countries where we source our produce. Berries Pride’s motto is ‘Better Together,’ and that starts with our care for people and nature. Every day we have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful products from around the world, and that’s why we feel a responsibility to ensure that future generations can continue to do the same. With every new partnership, certain fundamental principles must be respected. Our partner producers currently have 99,8% social certification and 95% water certification. But we go beyond certifications. Among other things, we have conducted human rights and environmental due diligence with the help of an independent organization in the high-risk countries where we source our produce, in order to identify the main challenges for each country. One of the most pressing issues in several countries is access to clean water in local communities.” With a producer who grows both blueberries and avocados in Peru, we started a project on how to optimize water, sanitation, and hygiene to improve the living conditions of local communities. We can't make a difference alone, but we can together—better together!.