From the 2015/2016 campaign to the 2020/2021 campaign, the volume of blueberries exported by Peru grew 1,154%, going from 12.951 tons to 162.459 tons.

This was stated by the manager of the Association of Blueberry Producers of Peru (Proarándanos), Luis Miguel Vegas Arias-Stella, who added that so far this 2021/2022 campaign (until week 8) 218.872 tons have been dispatched

"Peruvian blueberry exports grew in volume more than 16 times in 7 years (at the end of this campaign growth may be greater), creating a great economic and social impact in rural communities where the industry operates," he said.

He highlighted that in the 2021/2022 campaign (until week 8), the main destinations of the Peruvian blueberry were the United States, which acquired 120.084.504 kilos, participating with 54.87% of the total; The Netherlands, which bought 50.052.635 kilograms, concentrating 22.8% of the total, and China with 26.809.212 kilograms (representing 12.25% of the total).

Other markets were the United Kingdom, which acquired 12.675.285 kilos of blueberries from Peru (participating with 5.79% of the total); Canada with 3.117.025 kilos (1.42% of the total); Spain 2.235.048 kilos (1.02%); Hong Kong 677.702 kilos (0.31%); Ireland 448.200 kilos (0.20%); Thailand 422.745 kilos (0.19%); Taiwan 383.581 kilos (0.18%), Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dubai, France, Panama, India, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, El Salvador, Guatemala, Qatar, Bahrain and Italy .

Regarding the planted area of ​​this crop in our country, he said that it also grew significantly, going from 3.926 hectares in 2016 to 16.566 hectares in 2021, reflecting an increase of 322%. In 2020 there were 15.444 hectares.

The regions with the largest areas of blueberries installed in 2021 were: La Libertad with 8.056 ha, concentrating 49% of the total (3.657 ha in 2016); Lambayeque with 3.482 ha, participating with 21% of the total (76 ha in 2016); Lima with 1.453 ha, representing 9% of the total (120 ha in 2016); Piura 1.386 ha and 8% of the total (0 ha in 2016); Ica 1.203 ha and 7% of the total (2 ha in 2016); Áncash 943 ha and 6% of the total (70 ha in 2016); Moquegua 43 ha (0 ha in 2016); and Cajamarca 2 ha (2 ha in 2016).

Regarding the varieties of blueberries, he said that in 2021 our country had 60 varieties installed, when in 2016 there were only 13, of which Biloxi represented 60% of the total. In this regard, he explained that now the main variety is Ventura with 5.354 ha (32% of the total), followed by Biloxi 4.980 ha (30%).

Other varieties currently are: Rocío installed on 1.228 hectares (7% of the total); Emerald 938 ha (6% of the total); other varieties (Atlasblue, Eureka, Scintilla, Mágica, Stella blue, Kirra, Terrapin, Jupiterblue, Bella, Kestrel, Springhigh, Bonita, Sekoya pop, Snowchaser, Sekoya Beauty, Magnifica, First Blush, Salvador, Eureka sunrise, Arana, Biancablue, Stellar, Jewel) 4.066 ha (25% of the total).

Luis Miguel Vegas estimated that in the 2021/2022 campaign, the blueberry industry created 120 direct jobs, of which 52% were held by women, with an average age range between 25 and 28 years.

encourage consumption

He stressed that for the blueberry industry to continue growing, it is essential to promote the consumption of said fruit. "What we see, not only in Peru but also in different countries, is that production is increasing and demand is also growing, however, if that demand does not accompany supply, prices fall."

He added that, in the case of Peru, it is important to continue with the support of the government to maintain a stable framework, which continues to encourage investment, and to continue working hand in hand with the National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa), an entity of which he said it is essential that it remain a fully technical entity.

Date

Miguel Vegas gave these statements during his presentation "Report on the Peruvian blueberry industry: sector dynamics, growth factors and social and environmental responsibility", held within the framework of the XIX International Blueberries Peru Seminar.