Given that the Peruvian blueberry sector, after its considerable decrease in volumes due to weather conditions, will not sufficiently recover the lost production, it is very likely that prices will remain high for the remainder of the season. «There is also an emerging trend of producers who have newer patented varieties and who can take advantage of the rise in prices, while for those who have Biloxi and Ventura, older varieties widespread in Peru, the blow is stronger. », explains Luis Miguel Vegas, director of the ProArándanos trade association.

The USHBC (US Highbush Blueberry Council) recently visited plantations in Peru with Luis Miguel Vegas, from ProArándanos.

The drastic 55% decrease in the export of blueberries from Peru, the world leader, to the key market that is the United States has something redeemable, which is the increase in prices per kilo of blue gold. Until the end of week 40, Peru has sent 35.062 tons of fresh blueberries to the United States, which represents a 55% contraction compared to the previous season. This decrease is offset by the increase in prices, which add $133 million more to the sector's income. The price per kilo has doubled compared to a year ago, going from $4,48 to $8,41.

«The intensity of the rains during February and March will be a determining factor in the volumes shipped in the last part of the season. But the volumes will not recover. The good thing about this decrease is that it leads to an increase in prices. This season, we see a big difference in how companies respond to the situation. Companies with newer proprietary varieties are responding better to weather conditions and are able to serve the market. Companies with the older Biloxi and Ventura varieties are being hit hardest. “Those that have the right new varieties are able to be profitable and serve the market.”

«This season, given the considerable decrease in volumes, of 55%, we are having very good prices. Therefore, companies that have volume available, as long as they have the specific varieties that are performing well in these weather conditions, are seeing a fantastic season in terms of prices and margins. On the other hand, companies that depend more on varieties that are more affected by weather conditions are having a really bad time this season. The prices are good, but they don't have fruit to ship. For the last part of the season we do not expect a significant improvement,” explains Luis Miguel Vegas.

According to ProArándanos, 99% of the blueberries sent to the United States have traveled by ship, with the Port of Philadelphia being the main port of arrival, having received 68% of the imported volume, followed by Hueneme with 18% and Miami. with 12%.

As for organic blueberries from Peru, they have represented a 22% share of the volume exported to the United States, which indicates a decrease of approximately 60% compared to last season.

The USHBC (US Highbush Blueberry Council) recently visited plantations in Peru with Luis Miguel Vegas, from ProArándanos.

«The main reason for the drop in volume has been the atypical weather this year in Peru, due to the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused an increase in temperatures between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius above the average of the last 25 years. “This increase has had a significant impact on the production of certain blueberry varieties due to the lack of accumulation of lower temperatures for production.”

For the last part of the season, in the months of February and March, the intensity of the rains will be a determining factor in the volumes sent to the US. Sea temperature records have been showing a cooling trend, which means that we should not have rains with very drastic effects (such as, for example, the rains recorded in Peru in 1998).

«It is important to add that the US continues to be the main destination for Peruvian blueberries, with more than 47% of the total volume exported worldwide this season. Likewise, despite the extraordinary weather this year, Peru has been maintaining an important supply to our destination markets. This has been achieved thanks to the wide supply of different varieties from different regions, counteracting the negative effects of weather conditions on our production.