Peruvian blueberry exports are expected to grow strongly in the 2024/25 season, despite a slow start. The consulting firm Fresh Fruit Peru indicated that while exports began 2025 with losses—with a 15% drop in volume and a 41% drop in value in January compared to the same month in 2024—the outlook points to sustained growth this year.

Fresh Fruit said the contraction was related to a significant drop in the average product price, as well as a decrease in shipments to China.

However, Scotiabank has projected that the 2024/25 Peruvian blueberry campaign, which began in May of last year and will end next April, could see berry exports surpass the US$2.000 billion mark, well above the US$1.676 billion shipped in 2023/24.

Katherine Salazar, an economic research analyst at Scotiabank, noted that the bank's projections indicate that shipments of this blueberry could reach US$2.268 billion by the close of the current campaign, which would be 22 percent higher than the previous campaign.

In terms of volume, it expects shipments to reach 324.000 tons, a level similar to that projected by Proarándanos and 44,6 percent higher than the 224.024 tons shipped in 2023/24.

Salazar noted that last season was slow due to complications stemming from the El Niño phenomenon, whose high temperatures and heavy rains affected berry production on the north coast.

The projected growth for this year, he explained, is due to a combination of factors, including an increase in planted hectares, improved cultivation techniques, and the diversification of varieties that are proving to be more productive.

The latter, he noted, is encouraging the adoption of innovative genetic programs that guarantee quality and competitiveness in the global market.

Salazar stated that Peru ranks second in the world in blueberry production, surpassed only by Mexico. As a result, he noted, blueberries have become Peru's main agricultural export, surpassing products such as grapes, avocados, and asparagus.

Regarding the export price, Salazar indicated that Scotiabank projects it will average US$7 per kg, 7 percent less than the record US$7,50 per kg recorded last season.

So far this season, the US market has accounted for 54% of shipments, followed by Europe (24%), China (14%), and the United Kingdom (5%). The remainder went to more than 30 countries.

In terms of varieties, Ventura predominates in the US and Europe, while in China, Sekoya Pop is the most popular cultivar.

Scotiabank projects that, in the medium term, the growth trend in blueberry exports should continue, driven by high international demand and Peru's year-round production capacity.

The introduction of new varieties, planting techniques, and improved fruit quality would contribute to higher yields and maintain market competitiveness.

"These measures seek to ensure a consistent, high-quality supply, meeting the demands of international consumers," Salazar said.

Meanwhile, the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) has estimated that approximately 2024 hectares of blueberries will be planted in Peru for the 25/20.490 blueberry campaign, 2.136 hectares more than in the previous campaign.