Juan José Gal'Lino, COO of Fruitist PeruHe argues that one of the country's greatest advantages is its extended production capacity. “In many countries, the season lasts only a few weeks or months; in Peru, we can have a season of five, six, or even seven months, and it gets longer every year. This extended season allows for better distribution of volumes and avoids concentrations that put downward pressure on prices,” he explains.

Today, he adds, Peru is no longer limited to a specific window in the second half of the year. “We’re in the market practically year-round. There’s still a peak in the second half, but we’re starting earlier and finishing later each time,” he states. In his view, this extended season allows growth to occur without disrupting demand: “Price drops happen when a lot of fruit is put on the market in a short period. Here, it’s more fruit, but spread over more days, and that benefits the product.”

In the case of Fruitist, Gal'Lino It projects the closing of the 2025/26 campaign with around 32 million kilos of blueberries and growth prospects of around 30% for the next season. This increase is largely supported by varietal replacement. "All the growth in Peru is occurring with more modern varieties than those of 10 or 12 years ago, with better acceptance and higher value," he points out.

Another key aspect he considers crucial is segmentation. “Today there is no single blueberry market“There’s conventional, premium, jumbo, and super jumbo fruit, and each segment pays a different price,” he explains. This differentiation allows them to cater to markets with specific needs, from the United States—which accounts for a significant portion of the demand—to Europe, China, and emerging destinations like the Middle East, India, and Turkey.

© Fruitist

Regarding prices, Gal'Lino points out that the market has remained relatively stable despite the increased supply. “Although volumes grew, during peak weeks there wasn't more fruit than in other years. The supply has been orderly, and that has prevented significant price drops,” he comments, emphasizing that the key lies not only in how much is exported, but also in how it is distributed and how consistently the fruit arrives.

Quality, he emphasizes, remains the central focus. “It’s not just about increasing volume. Maintaining and improving quality is far more important in terms of value than producing more kilos,” he argues. At this point, the cold chain and logistical lead times from harvest to shelf are crucial for maintaining condition, product rotation, and the overall consumer experience.

Looking ahead, he identifies a key challenge: opening new markets. “Countries like Japan or Korea would be crucial for diversifying destinations and sustaining growth,” he concludes, emphasizing that Peruvian leadership will only be sustainable if it is based on quality, sound business practices, and an increasingly refined understanding of the consumer.

Participation in the XXXIX Lima International Blueberries Seminar

In this frame, Juan José Gal'Lino, from Fruitist Peru, will be part of the panel discussion “Blueberry Market Overview: Reconfiguration of the Global Landscape and Competitiveness Strategies at the XXXIX International Blueberries Seminar to be held in Lima, Peru on March 11 and 12 at the Lima Convention Center, where he will delve into how commercial and logistical decisions, along with varietal segmentation, are defining the ability to sustain value in a market that is increasingly sensitive to arrival conditions.