The Peruvian blueberry industry closed its latest season with results that the sector considers positive, after registering nearly 383.000 tons exported, a figure that remained in line with the projections made during the season. This was stated by Miguel Bentín, president of ProArándanos, the association that brings together Peruvian blueberry exporters. blueberry.

"This campaign has once again demonstrated the industry's ability to adapt to different challenges and has highlighted the growing importance of genetics in the evolution of the Peruvian supply," says Bentín.

The varietal replacement process is emerging as one of the main drivers of transformation in the industry. According to Bentín, the production landscape is "increasingly heterogeneous" due to the incorporation of new genetic materials that exhibit very different behaviors compared to previous years. The international market, for its part, demands fruit that stands out for its flavor, firmness, crispness, size, and condition upon arrival—attributes that the new varieties aim to maximize.

Post-harvest life plays a central role in this strategy. "It has become a fundamental aspect for an industry that supplies markets located thousands of kilometers away," the executive emphasizes.

© ProArándanos

The United States continues to be the main destination for blueberries Peruvians, although their growth during the last season was more moderate than that of other markets, partly due to the impact of tariffs. Europe performed "particularly dynamically," increasing its relative share, while Asia remains a market of strategic interest, with close monitoring of developments in Chinese local production.

Regarding prices, Bentín acknowledges that the pressure is structural in an expanding industry, but highlights a positive trend: "The market is beginning to more clearly recognize the differences in quality, genetics and condition, generating different levels of return depending on the value perceived by the consumer."

© ProArándanos

For the upcoming season, the industry is opting for caution. Proarándanos has indicated that a significant level of uncertainty persists regarding weather conditions, with close monitoring of the Coastal El Niño and the potential for a global El Niño event.

"We see a more mature industry, with better genetics, more experience and a great capacity for adaptation," says Bentín, who at the same time highlights the social impact of the sector: the industry generates between 140.000 and 160.000 formal direct jobs in the producing regions of Peru.