According to the latest report from Proarándanos regarding the performance of the Peruvian blueberry industry, up to week 3 of this year, 293,512 tons of blueberries have been exported to different international markets, which is equivalent to 48% more compared to the previous campaign. 89% of this total corresponds to conventional blueberries and the remaining 11% is organic blueberries, equivalent to 33 thousand tons.

As for the main destinations, the United States market remains in first place, with exports of 157 thousand tons, equivalent to 54% of the total. Followed by Europe with 73 thousand tons (25%), China with 37 thousand tons (13%), the United Kingdom with 14 thousand tons (5%); and finally, other destinations (20 countries), to which 12 thousand tons have been exported, equivalent to 4% of the total.

The Peruvian offer has a wide variety of varieties, however, the Ventura variety dominates the market preferences and Biloxi has not yet disappeared completely. For the United States, the main market, the 3 main varieties are Ventura with 25% of the total exported to that destination; Biloxi with 17% and Sekoya Pop with 13%.

For the European market, the figure is similar, with its 3 main varieties being Ventura, with 47%, Biloxi with 16% and Sekoya Pop with 8%.

For China, the most exported variety is Sekoya Pop with 23%, followed by Ventura with 20% and Mágica with 18%. For the United Kingdom, the most exported variety is Ventura with 27%, followed by Rocío with 22% and in third place, Sekoya Pop with 14%.

Finally, for the “other destinations” conglomerate, the main varieties are Ventura, with 15%, ARANA with 13% and Sekoya Pop with 13%.

Within the producing regions, the top 5 export departments to date are: La Libertad with 51% of shipments, Lambayeque with 23%, Ica with 11%, Lima with 7% and Ancash with 5%. Together they account for 98% of the total volume exported by the Peruvian blueberry industry, the remaining 2% is divided between Piura, Moquegua and Arequipa.

According to Proarándanos, the projections for total fresh blueberry shipments for the current 2024/2025 campaign will be close to a total volume of 312,195 tons, which means a variation of -3.6% in relation to the previous estimate made in December, which projected 323,928 tons. It should be noted that Peru's blueberry campaign is considered from May to April of the following year.

• What were the logistical factors that most influenced the current campaign?
• This campaign has been marked by significant logistical challenges that force us to work in a more coordinated manner as an industry and thus continue exploring new shipping methods to cover demand during the peak of the campaign in the best possible way. In November and December, when we continue with significant volumes of blueberries and the grape campaign also starts, we have had a shortage of trucks, refrigerated containers and spaces. Additionally, this campaign we had a strike on the east coast of the US and we had congestion in Panama that affected some transit times to the US and Europe. Added to this, and as an additional challenge for the exporter, we have seen drastic surcharges in freight of more than 40% during moments of the campaign, due to the fact that the exporter has been unable to meet the demand for the product. “peak season” or “strike surcharges”. Here we call for ways to avoid such significant increases in surcharges. It is worth noting that this campaign, and as a solution to the shortage of space, the first shipments of table grapes have been made in chambered vessels from Peru. We hope to replicate this method for the shipment of blueberries and thus provide more alternatives to exporters.

Finally, it should be noted that Proarándanos will be participating in the next edition of Fruit Logistica 2025, which will take place in the city of Berlin from February 5 to 7. The Peruvian blueberry industry will be presented under the PROMPERU brand, which corresponds to the Peruvian Pavilion that will be installed in C 50 – Hall 25 of the fairgrounds. It will be the opportunity to show the world everything related to this interesting and successful industry. Then, the 12 and 13 March, Peruvian producers and businessmen will be present together with important representatives of the international blueberry industry at the XXXIV International Blueberry Seminar, which will be held in the halls of the Convention Center in Lima, Peru. This meeting will be the best opportunity to evaluate the season that is about to end and the different technical, agronomic and commercial aspects of the industry in order to project the future season effectively and continue consolidating an industry that is already important in the Peruvian economy.

Get your tickets for the XXXIV International Blueberry Seminar Lima, Peru 2025 HERE 

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