World demand for blueberries will triple in the next decade

23/03/2015

In the next decade, global demand for blueberries would triple, said Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Director of Business Development and International Business, Cort Brazelton.

He stressed that this important increase in demand for blueberries is due to the fact that in all regions of the world consumption is increasing due to health benefits.

"In Continental Europe the consumption of this berry grows above 25% per year, in Canada it increases 15%, in the United States 13%, in Asia its production has almost doubled from 2012 to 2014 and in Africa almost tripled in the same period. Only in Chile have been planted 1.801 more hectares in the last two years, from 13.749 Has the 2012 to 15.559 Has the 2014", he pointed.

The Fall Creek Farm & Nursery representative highlighted potential markets for blueberries. In this regard, he said that between the United States and Canada there are 140 million consumers of said fruit, in Europe there is potential for 380 million consumers, who are willing to pay high prices, but for quality products, while in China there are great opportunities because it is impossible for them to supply their market themselves.

On the other hand, noted that, in the 2014, the global production of the blueberry amounted to 563.100 tons, in that sense, projected that in the 2017 would amount to 680 thousand tons and the 2019 reach 770 thousand tons.

Current market

Brazelton indicated that in the 2014, 110.883 hectares of blueberries were planted worldwide, which produced 563.100 tons (376 thousand tons were destined as fresh fruit and 187.000 thousand tons for the processing industry). In the 2012, the number of hectares cultivated was 93.423 that produced 466.200 tons (303.900 TM of fresh fruit and 162.300 TM in processing).

"Of the total areas planted in the world, the 52% are installed in North America, 18% in South America, 18% in Asia and Pacific, 10% in Europe and 1.4% in Africa. Regarding the volume produced 60% in North America, 22% South America, 11% in Europe, 7% in Asia Pacific and 1.66% in Africa ", he explained.

He also said that the United States, Chile, Canada, China, Spain, Poland, Argentina, Germany, Mexico and Morocco are the 10 main countries with the largest areas of blueberries in the world, representing 91% of the total hectares, also represent the 92% of the volume of world production.

Source: Agraria.pe