China is experiencing a pivotal moment in the blueberry industry. The Asian country has reached record highs in both cultivated area and production volume, solidifying its position as one of the most dynamic players in the global blueberry market. This milestone was a central theme of the China International Blueberry Conference 2025, held in Mile, Yunnan Province, where industry progress, challenges, and prospects were analyzed.

At the opening of the meeting, Geng Yaxiong, director of blueberry products at Xinrongmao Fruit Industry Technology Group, emphasized the magnitude of the growth and warned that the success of the sector cannot be measured only in tons: quality, safety and the collective reputation of the industry will be decisive in a context of more restrained consumption and increasingly price-sensitive buyers.

Record-breaking production with Yunnan as the engine

The numbers confirm the leap in production. According to data from the Blueberry Committee of the China Chamber of Commerce for Native Foods and Products, between 2024 and 2025 the national cultivated area increased from 96.000 to 110.000 hectares, while production rose from 780.000 to 957.000 tons, marking a new all-time record. Behind these figures lies more than just territorial expansion: there is also investment, technology, and a growing professionalization of the agricultural sector.

In this context, Yunnan has established itself as the driving force behind China's blueberry boom. The province boasts approximately 23.000 hectares of blueberry orchards and a production of nearly 280.000 tons, with year-on-year growth rates of around 50%. Its climate, altitude, and the use of modern management techniques allow for the production of early, high-quality fruit, reducing the need for imports during certain periods and strengthening consumer confidence in locally grown blueberries.

Exports on the rise and new competition

The sharp increase in domestic supply has prompted the Chinese industry to look more decisively abroad. According to data from Chinese Customs, blueberry exports reached 2.592 tons in 2024, a 156% increase over the previous year. This trend intensified in 2025: in the first three quarters alone, shipments totaled 6.098,9 tons, representing growth of over 160% compared to the same period in 2024.

Destinations have also diversified. Malaysia and Russia have joined the traditional markets of Hong Kong and Singapore, reinforcing Asia's importance in Chinese fruit demand. This progress indicates that Chinese blueberries are not only gaining volume but also competitiveness and recognition. Meanwhile, blueberry imports grew by more than 80% in the first three quarters, supplied almost entirely by Peru and Chile, countries that have had to accelerate their entry into the Chinese market to avoid losing ground to the development of Yunnan.

Structural challenges and the next stage of the industry

Despite the record harvest, the sector is not without its challenges. Geng Yaxiong pointed out that, while the domestic blueberry season has been moving earlier, supply remains heavily concentrated in March and April, months that account for nearly half of the annual supply. This concentration puts pressure on prices, logistics, and the cold chain, and highlights the need to extend the supply cycle, particularly by developing Highbush varieties in northern China that can supply between May and September.

Rapid growth also reveals structural challenges: the impacts of climate change, the lack of unified quality and safety standards, and the presence of unauthorized varieties. In a market where consumers increasingly demand differentiation in flavor, texture, formats, and uses, the genetics used become a central element for building brand and added value.

In his conclusion, Geng warned that the Chinese blueberry industry is entering a decisive phase. The record production is both a milestone and a call to cooperation: only through respect for intellectual property, continuous improvement of standards, and coordinated work among producers, companies, and authorities can China transform its volume into sustainable, high-value leadership in the global blueberry market.