“The peak of exports was 21.333 tons in week 38 and the year 2022 ended 33% above the peak of the previous year. With this positive variation, the volume shipped closed above 277.000 tons. Although the majority of the weeks experienced a positive variation, there were weeks in which the registered volume was below the previous one, as a result of the crisis and political instability, which caused losses for agricultural businesses. It is estimated that the losses after the riots last year amounted to 250 million dollars for crops as important as blueberries, table grapes, avocados and mangoes”, says Miguel Vegas.

“The current Russian war in the Ukraine and the secondary effects it has caused in the markets, together with the high prices, etc., portend a difficult 2023, just like last year. Although we will grow in volume, it will be a difficult year due to the international context. We have faced several challenges, such as the increase in freight costs, as well as the increase in the costs of agricultural inputs, which has negatively affected companies, ”he says.

As Peru's export volumes are expected to continue to grow, Proarándanos' focus remains on opening new markets. Israel, which did not open its doors until the middle of last year, received 46 tons from Peru by air freight. “We hope, at least, to double our exports to Israel in 2023. We are working on opening new markets with a focus on Asia. We have markets in the process of opening, including Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam, with a new opening for Peruvian blueberries this year."

The peak of Peru's blueberry season, which runs from September to October, is long behind us. “We have already shipped around 90% of the volume this season. We are already in the final phase of our season, which we hope will end during the last week of March”, advances Miguel Vegas.