Peruvian exports of blueberries grew 57% in the 2017

18/01/2018

China is already the fourth largest market for cranberry from Peru, concentrating 10% of shipments. It is expected that in the medium term the giant of Asia will become the second destination after the United States.

In the 2017 Peru exported 41.329 tons of blueberries, showing an increase of 57% with respect to the 26.327 tons shipped in the 2016, said the general manager of the Association of Blueberries Producers of Peru (ProArándanos), Sergio del Castillo Valderrama.

He also said that the blueberry shipments in the 2017 reached US $ 350.831.000, registering a growth of 46.17% compared to the US $ 240 million obtained in the 2016.

He explained that of the total dispatched the 2017, the United States concentrated the 44% of the total (in the 2016 participated with the 56%), the Netherlands acquired the 26% (24% in the 2016), United Kingdom with the 11% (12% in the 2016), China 10% (in the 2016 there were no dispatches registered to this destination).

"In the 2017 the shipments to China were dynamic and already concentrate a significant percentage. In the medium term, China could position itself as the second most important destination for blueberries from Peru, after the United States, "he said.

He added that with the shipment of the 2017 (where US $ 350.831.000 was reached), the blueberry is among the four main non-traditional agricultural export products along with grapes, asparagus and avocados.

In another moment, Sergio del Castillo indicated that Peru currently has around 5 thousand hectares of blueberries. Of this total, the 90% of the areas belong to the companies associated with ProArándanos.

La Libertad is the main producing area of blueberries, but crops in other regions are increased. In that sense, he said that blueberry crops will continue to grow at the same pace that has been registered in recent years.

Source: Agraria.pe