A fruit can leave the field in good condition but lose its quality before reaching the market. blueberriesThis risk becomes more sensitive when climatically variable campaigns, demanding logistical times, temperature and pressure management intersect to ensure firmness and a useful life at the destination.

That will be the focus Jessica Rodriguez will lead to XLII International Blueberry Seminar Trujillo 2026where he will participate with the talk “Climate change and fruit quality: Implications for post-harvest condition and life”.

Rodríguez, an agricultural engineer with a Master of Science degree and an advisor on post-harvest, marketing and sales of fresh produce, arrives in Trujillo with a perspective that is especially useful for those who make decisions about harvesting, packing and exporting: how to reduce the risk of a good batch losing its condition before becoming a commercial product.

A look from post-harvest and market

Their contribution lies in connecting post-harvest, commercialization, and marketing of fresh fruit. It's not just about preservation. blueberriesbut to understand how the product responds during transit, waiting, reception at destination and marketing.

“One has to work on the best possible product so that it can withstand these problems,” says Rodríguez.

The phrase points to the heart of the discussion to be held in Trujillo: how to better prepare the fruit for an export route where the margin for error is shrinking. On an agenda marked by climate change, El Niño, plant health, nutrition, and quality, its presentation will help steer this debate toward a concrete outcome: the condition in which the blueberries arrive at the market.

When waiting punishes the condition

Logistics emerges as one of the most critical issues. Delays in unloading, processing at the destination, and difficulty maintaining the cold chain can negatively impact the fruit's condition, especially when the shipment arrives with a reduced shelf life.

“What has affected us most has been the wait in the destination markets, both for unloading and for completing customs procedures. That has been complex, because it is often difficult to control the cold chain,” he points out.

This type of pressure makes everything that comes before even more demanding: harvest time, firmness, handling in packing, temperature, and operational discipline. When the wait is longer, the condition of the lot at the right time leaves less room for error.

Jessica Rodríguez at the International Blueberries Seminar Chile 2022, © Blueberries Consulting

Measure, order, and train

The answer doesn't lie solely in large investments. Rodríguez also focuses on operational aspects that typically define consistency: measurement, methodology, control, and training.

The specialist acknowledges that some tools, such as firmness measurement, may require greater investment or more systematic implementation. But much of the improvement lies in streamlining processes and strengthening the teams involved in the fruit's journey.

“The rest of the measures have to do with getting organized, being methodical, monitoring and training all the staff involved,” he says.

This approach is especially relevant for a campaign where climate, logistics and operations intersect again, and where the question will be how prepared the fruit arrives to maintain condition, firmness and shelf life at its destination.

Jessica Rodríguez at the International Blueberries Seminar Chile 2022, © Blueberries Consulting

A key discussion for Trujillo

Involvement Jessica Rodriguez It will be discussed in conjunction with the rest of the seminar's technical program, which will cover topics such as El Niño, climate change, physiology, health, nutrition, biostimulation, new varieties, market and fruit quality.

In addition to her talk on the first day, the specialist will participate in the panel "Tools and strategies for mitigating the effects of the El Niño phenomenon," an event that will bring together experts to analyze the main climate, health and production challenges of the Peruvian industry.

For producers, exporters, and technical teams, their presence will allow them to connect the seminar's climate discussion with a concrete consequence: what fruit arrives, in what condition, and with what capacity to sustain post-harvest life in increasingly demanding markets.

The 42nd International Blueberries Seminar Trujillo 2026 will be held on July 8 and 9 at the Costa del Sol Wyndham Trujillo Golf Hotel in Peru, and will bring together national and international specialists to address the main technical and commercial challenges of the blueberry.

Read also:

• Peruvian blueberries look to Trujillo to analyze climate, health, genetics and quality
• Genetics promises, climate validates: Trujillo will address critical decisions for Peruvian blueberries
• Market, genetics and quality in the planning of the Peruvian blueberry
• Jessica Rodríguez: "There is little awareness of how valuable the times between harvest and cooling are"