Although the Peruvian blueberry crop has not stopped growing in recent years, this year the situation is different. And it is that there have been floods, while the current higher temperatures, caused by the effects of El Niño, delay the harvest.

"After years in which Peru's exports grew by 20 to 30%, the market has realized that the supply could be lower compared to last year," says Stefan Spanjaard, general director of the subsidiary. European company Agrovision, with cultivation facilities in various parts of the world.

"The situation varies depending on the production area and variety, but, without a doubt, the season will be difficult, as the decrease in volumes may not be compensated by a higher price," says Stefan. "Traditionally, September has always been a difficult month for the blueberry market, but with the emergence of Peru in recent years, this has changed."

«Now that the supply from Peru, like that from Zimbabwe and South Africa, is not taking off as we expected, the shortage of blueberries in the market will remain for a while. “With volumes from northern Europe drying up, I predict product shortages will continue until mid-October.”

“Consumers will notice this, because blueberries are increasingly on the weekly shopping list,” continues Stefan. «Prices are skyrocketing. In the free market prices range between 9 and 11 euros and for special varieties you pay up to 12 euros or more.

According to the general director of Agrovision Europe, the channel's clients retail They understand the situation. «It would have been different if the shortage had been a problem of a single producer, but the anomalous situation spreads throughout the sector. The retailers They have already gotten used to blueberries always being available, but now they will have to change their approach. "I don't think promotions are part of this year's plans and the packaging may be smaller again."

The European subsidiary of Agrovision has now been in operation for two years and Stefan is very satisfied with the results achieved so far. "The first year we focused on organizing ourselves, but soon we had an experienced team with which we are very well prepared for the challenges that arise."

Agrovision's ambitions are great. Two years ago, the parent company formulated the goal of achieving its own production of 5.000 hectares of blueberries, with cultivation operations around the world, in five years. «We are progressing as planned. Agrovision Morocco already has six farms, where the first 30 hectares of raspberries have also been planted premium. This is a new variety from a breeding program of which we are the exclusive licensees. Our goal is to become a global player in the berries in a short time, further expanding the assortment of berries that we offer to the market.