For the first time, US-based Frutta Group will source blueberries from Morocco this winter. "We have reached a collaboration agreement with the Cheers Portugal Group, which has experience in growing and importing blueberries from Morocco," says Juan Eduardo Sainz, from the Frutta Group. “Morocco has quickly become one of the main players in the production and export of fresh blueberries in the world,” added Sainz. The blueberry operation from which Frutta Group sources is young and production is still limited. As a result, the distribution of Moroccan blueberries is limited. “This season we will only bring them to the United States, Canada and Spain.”

15 day trip
Morocco's blueberry sector focuses on exports. “It is a purely exporting country,” commented Sainz. “As a result, the logistics options and facilities are very good. From Morocco, the journey to North America takes about 15 days, arriving at the ports of Philadelphia and Montreal, and Spain is just around the corner.

The first blueberries from Morocco will arrive around the first week of December and, if the weather is favourable, export quality will be available until the end of May, perhaps the first half of June. "However, production volume will peak in January, February and March." Quality expectations are high. “Our grower partner grows the latest varieties and, combined with exceptional weather during the growing season, the quality of the product is excellent,” shares Sainz. As a result, demand for Moroccan blueberries is expected to be strong. “In addition to good and stable quality, lower availability from the southern hemisphere this season is also driving demand.”

Climate Change
The lower production volumes in the southern hemisphere are mainly due to El Niño. “With more than 25 years of experience in the fruit and vegetable sector, I can affirm that climate change is playing a very important role in the product offering,” commented Sainz. “It is no longer easy to run a smooth charging program. In the last two or three years, all products from all producing countries had production problems due to the weather. I do not consider it only an alarm, but also a message to consumers and retailers to value the effort made by all the producers in the world who put fruits and vegetables on the shelves and on the tables throughout the year."

In addition to blueberries, other important products for Frutta Group are citrus fruits and grapes. The company sources products from all over the world and brings them to the US, Canada and Europe.