The supply of blueberries is currently abundant, as three areas are shipping berries to North America. Luciano Fiszman, of Gourmet Trading Co., says that the supply of blueberries has been abundant in recent months. “Right now, supply and demand in the market are much more balanced, giving those who had large stocks the opportunity to start liquidating the product,” he says. “There is a much healthier feeling in the market for the first time in several months.”

Peru is shipping roughly the same volume as last year, although weekly inbound volumes are now much lower than in recent months. «The market is receiving about half the volume it would have received in peak weeks. Peru will not stop sending fruit during the low season and is expected to continue receiving fruit for a few more months," explains Fiszman. However, he adds that the size of the fruit and the condition of the Peruvian crop are not the same as at the beginning of the season. "However, the fruit is still decent and the market appreciates it."

Photography by Goumet Trading Company

Best Chilean season

Chile has also already started its shipments and is a little ahead of last year's situation at this time, especially in the central-northern areas, due to warmer temperatures. "We are beginning the peak of the harvest in those areas and the market will begin to receive the fruit after Christmas due to the transit time of maritime freight," says Fiszman, who points out that Chile's better logistics has a direct impact on time. that the harvest reaches the market. After all, last year there was a shortage of fruit around Christmas and until mid-January, and it doesn't look like that will be a problem this year. "We are very optimistic about the Chilean season and we expect a continuous supply of better quality than last season," he says.

Mexico has also begun to make its shipments and is in the same line as last year. “This is the freshest product the market can see this time of year because Mexico is just a day away by truck,” says Fiszman. “Mexican growers continue to learn every year how to produce better fruit and package better-looking clamshells. "Along with normal-sized fruit, we pack extra-large fruit that is marketed differently: many consumers are willing to pay more for this product."

Photograph by Gourmet Trading Company

Ecological production

In total, although the three areas produce organic and conventional fruit, Chile produces more organic fruit than the rest during the winter months. “It is also a premium product and one that some customers prefer us to bring by air rather than by sea to ensure product freshness,” Fiszman continues.

As for demand, it is good and is expected to continue like this in the coming weeks. «Consumption depends on customer satisfaction. Bringing quality products to stores allows the sector to achieve its ultimate goal," he says. «I am confident that we will continue to see an increase in demand if quality does not decline. As a sector, we also have to continue working on packaging styles and promote 500g packaging more and consider larger formats of areas that can package them. But it is essential to protect the integrity of the fruit.

Where are the prices? They have risen slowly over the past two weeks and it is very likely that spot prices will continue to rise until the peak arrivals from Chile arrive around the New Year. «November was a difficult month, and even the first week of December. However, now that demand and supply have met again, the price has rebounded and makes more sense for all parties,” concludes Fiszman.