In week 50 of the 2025/26 season, Chile has exported 30.513 tons of fresh blueberries, a figure that represents approximately 20% more than in 2022/23, and more than 100% more overall. The country has thus reached an unprecedented level of supply, marking a break from the trend of recent seasons.

This season's curve not only peaks higher, but also rises earlier and steeper than in previous cycles. Volumes begin to accumulate from around week 35, with sales still limited, and the 2025/26 advantage becomes much more pronounced between weeks 48 and 50.

Chart 1. Weekly volume of fresh blueberry exports from Chile by season (weeks 35 to 50, in tons).

The result is a greater presence of Chilean blueberries during the central part of the Northern Hemisphere season, a time of year when competition from other southern origins is typically more intense. For the various players in the supply chain, these figures necessitate a review of capacity, shipping methods, and commercial strategy.

Table 1. Weekly volume of fresh blueberry exports from Chile by campaign (weeks 35 to 50) and accumulated volumes to week 50 (tons).

A new level of weekly offering: 50

The weekly breakdown reinforces this interpretation. By week 48, the 2025/26 season had already surpassed all others; two weeks later, the cumulative total reached 30.513 tons. Compared to this figure, 2022/23—which until now had been the benchmark—has fallen to second place, while 2024/25 is seen as a transitional season, and 2023/24 clearly appears as the lowest season of the period.

Chart 2. Export volumes of fresh blueberries from Chile by campaign in weeks 48, 49 and 50, and accumulated to week 50 (tons).

It's not just a slightly better year. The combination of higher total volume and a more concentrated harvest over a few weeks is changing the shape of the curve. Chile is operating at a new supply level in the middle of the season, which is impacting harvest planning, packing schedules, and coordination with destination markets.

Table 2. Volumes of fresh blueberries exported by Chile in weeks 48, 49 and 50, and accumulated to week 50, by campaign (tons).

More volume, more pressure on the chain

Concentrating so many kilos in such a short time means packing facilities working at maximum capacity, harvesting crews under immense pressure, and a cold chain with little room for error. When the flow of fruit increases sharply, any delay in receiving, pre-cooling, sizing, or shipping can lead to loss of firmness, dehydration, or other problems with its condition upon arrival.

External logistics also becomes more sensitive, because coordinating more containers in a few weeks strains the relationship with shipping companies and operators, especially in a context of ports still exposed to disruptions.

Within this scenario, bulk packaging begins to play a key role. In importing markets where this type of packaging is accepted, processing fruit in bulk increases plant efficiency: it allows for moving more kilograms per hour, reduces handling per package, frees up space in cold storage and on processing lines, and, at the same time, lowers operating costs at the source. In this way, bulk packaging helps alleviate peak flow periods and frees up capacity for pot or clamshell packaging destined for markets with specific requirements.

Commercial strategy in a scenario of increased supply

Such a sharp and concentrated increase in supply raises questions about price behavior. If several sources coincide with high volumes in the same weeks, pressure on the markets can be felt, even when the quality is good.

Faced with this risk, commercial planning becomes as important as field performance: defining in advance which fruit goes to programs, what is destined for spot operations, which profiles are best suited to certain destinations and what part of the volume is diverted to industry or other uses.

The 2025/26 season sets a new benchmark for Chilean blueberries. Maintaining this level will require continued investment in genetics, agronomic management, processing capacity, automation, and information systems that allow for better coordination across the entire supply chain.

The way in which the sector combines these elements will determine whether this record consolidates as part of a new stage of development or remains an isolated peak that is difficult to repeat.