On March 12 and 13, the Lima Convention Center held the XXXIV BlueBerries Consulting International Seminar Perú 2025, where experts from the agroindustrial sector met to analyze the trends and strategies that drive the blueberry market. One of the presentations was given by Jessica Messina, operations manager for South America and co-founder of FruAction, who provided valuable insights into the growth prospects and key strategies to meet the growing global demand for this product.

Frozen blueberries have emerged as a key product in global trade, driven by the growing demand for healthy foods and year-round availability. During the talk, Jessica Mesina highlighted essential strategies to boost the development of this segment and satisfy the international market, addressing data, trends, and opportunities that will strengthen the presence of frozen blueberries in the most demanding markets.

Growth and competitiveness in the global market

One of the key aspects discussed during Messina's presentation was the global comparison of blueberry acreage in different countries. Data from recent seasons (2021-2022 and 2023) show a notable increase in cultivated acreage in China, which is leading the growth, while the United States and Chile face challenges in expanding their acreage. In contrast, Peru maintains sustained growth and is consolidating its position as a leader in fresh blueberry exports, thus opening up new opportunities to enter the frozen blueberry segment.

Consumer interest in frozen blueberries has increased significantly, boosting global production. Currently, China and the United States are the largest producers of this processed fruit. China, in particular, has shown a notable increase in its production, rising from 175 tons in 2020 to more than 280 tons in 2023. Peru, although still far from these volumes, maintains stable growth and promises to consolidate itself as a relevant player in the near future.

Challenges and opportunities for the Peruvian market

At the consumer market level, Asia leads the demand for frozen blueberries with a 48% share, followed by North America with 34%, driven primarily by the United States and Canada. South America, meanwhile, represents 15% of the global market, with Chile standing out as the main supplier with a 74% share. Peru, although a leader in fresh blueberries, contributes 19% in the frozen segment, representing an opportunity for expansion in the coming years.

The international market was also analyzed by Jessica Messina, who indicated that frozen blueberry exports from Peru have fluctuated. Despite facing challenges such as the El Niño event and varietal turnover, the value of exports has increased by 16% compared to the previous year, reflecting the growing appreciation of the product in international markets, stated the co-founder of FruAction.

A strategy for the future

In conclusion, Jessica Mesina's presentation highlighted Peru's potential to consolidate its position in the frozen blueberry market. Leveraging its experience in fresh fruit exports and its production capacity, the country is well positioned to lead this segment in the region. Efforts must focus on strengthening the value chain and diversifying export markets to ensure sustainable and competitive growth in the global landscape.

We look forward to seeing you at the next events of Blueberries Consulting:

-XXXV International Blueberry Seminar, Chile April 10, 2025
-XXXVI International Blueberry Seminar, Guadalajara, Mexico May 28 and 29
-XXXVII International Blueberry Seminar, Trujillo, Peru, July 9 and 10
-XXXVIII International Seminar on Red Fruits, Tangier, Morocco, September 10