According to industry sources, 2019 tons of Chilean blueberries are expected to be exported for the 20/115.000 season, which means an increase of 4% over the previous season. This is due to the new plantations registered in recent years, which were carried out with the objective of renovating orchards and increasing areas.

However, it is estimated that in this season the effects of the climate reduce the productive potential of the country. The above, due to the lower accumulation of cold hours recorded in winter and the string of frosts that have occurred since late August.

The exporters associated with the Blueberry Committee are stopping to export a high number of varieties that do not have a good post-harvest behavior. In this way, production is expected to be 160.000 tons (115.000 fresh export, 41.000 frozen and 4.000 mobilized locally).

According to the new plantation records, there is a net increase of 2.500 ha, reaching a total of 18.374 blueberries in Chile. Net surface growth (which is concentrated in 92% the regions of Maule, Ñuble and Bío Bío) would boost exports again, especially for the renewal of varieties of better and more productive fruit quality.

It is worth noting the advance in the sprouting of blueberries in this season, since the lower winter cold and days with high temperatures in August woke up the blueberries in advance. In this sense, there is currently an average advance of one week in the development of the fruits, compared to a normal season.

At the beginning of October, the industry will deliver a review of the estimate where the climate effect of September on exports will be considered. This, mainly, in relation to the crop dynamics that will be in the 2019/20 season.