Peruvian engineer and politician Fernando Cillóniz, as director of Inform@acción, participated in the 2025 iQonsulting International Blueberry Market Yearbook with an interesting column on the 2024/2015 season of the Peruvian blueberry industry.

The specialist comments that during the season ending in April 2025, Peru managed to export a record volume of 317 tons of fresh blueberries, thus consolidating its global leadership in the production and export of this crop. This historic figure not only surpasses the previous record of 280 tons from the 2022/2023 campaign, but also reflects the resilient and competitive capacity of Peruvian agriculture, particularly in the face of the climatic challenges that affected production in 2023, Cillóniz highlights.

This remarkable growth not only reflects the sector's productive capacity, but also its ability to adapt and recover quickly from adverse weather conditions, such as those experienced in 2023.

Main export crop

Cillóniz reports that once the "hot winter" phenomenon, which affected the 2023/2024 campaign, has been overcome, productive activity has returned to its growth path. "Since the start of commercial blueberry cultivation in 2013, the sector has continued to show dynamism," he emphasizes, explaining that, in this context, blueberries have once again positioned themselves as Peru's main export crop, reaching an FOB value of USD 2,121 billion, representing a 14% increase compared to the previous year.

Cillóniz provides a notable statistic: despite the growth in export volume, FOB prices remained stable. The average FOB price for the 2024/2025 season was USD 6.69 per kilo, higher than the average for the 2023/2024 season (USD 4.75) and still above the historical average of USD 3.81/kg. This demonstrates a notable strength in international demand, as well as the sector's ability to offer high-value-added products.

More surface area, more varieties, new areas

Regarding the cultivated area, it reports that there was a growth from 19,269 hectares in 2023 to 20,753 hectares in 2024, a very significant figure considering that in 2016 there were only 1,900 hectares. Regarding the main producing regions, they continue to be La Libertad (9,463 ha), Lambayeque (7,244 ha), and Ica (2,144 ha), with emerging growth in Lima, Ancash, and Piura.

Regarding varieties, Ventura has displaced Biloxi as the most cultivated, followed by Rocío, Emerald, Sekoya, and Mágica, reflecting a trend toward varieties that are more adapted to warm climates, are more resistant, and offer greater productivity and sensory quality.

In the future, new production areas are expected to enter the export market in 2025 and 2026, particularly in regions like Ica, which will allow export volumes to be sustained and expanded. This growth must be accompanied by mechanization and automation processes, and more rigorous control of product costs and quality.

They could be out of the market

Cillóniz warns that not all producers will be able to adapt, because those who do not innovate, diversify, or improve their efficiency could be excluded from the market. In contrast, farmers who adopt better technological practices and new varieties, optimize their processes, and improve their marketing will be key to the future success of Peruvian blueberries, he asserts.

Modernizing production, adopting varieties with improved commercial attributes, mechanizing processes, and rigorous cost control are key factors for future success. "Producers who fail to adapt will fall behind, while those who focus on efficiency and innovation will maintain their leadership."

Investment and profitability

In another aspect, the specialist highlights the growing role of international capital in the sector. He emphasizes that foreign companies and investment funds are acquiring assets from operating companies, which not only confirms the profitability of the business but also the confidence in Peruvian agriculture. Factors such as soil quality, favorable climate, water availability, and plant health make Peru a very attractive destination for export agriculture.

Learning to grow

He predicts that the challenge for the Peruvian blueberry sector, and by extension for all national agriculture, will continue to be producing more and better, but with fewer resources—that is, achieving efficient, sustainable, and profitable production.

The case of Peruvian blueberries is a clear example of how national agriculture can achieve levels of excellence and global competitiveness when favorable natural conditions are combined with entrepreneurial vision, technological investment, and efficient management. The challenge ahead is clear: continue growing in productivity and quality, but with sustainability and reduced resource use.