While market prices have often been under pressure in previous years, this year the situation is very different. In Spain, there have been far fewer blueberries than usual due to weather conditions and labor shortages as a result of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. On the other hand, Italy is already capable of filling the supply gap between Spain and Poland. In the United States, the national season has started, but in the east of the country, producers fear competition from Canada and Peru, which will enter the market in the summer. It should also be noted that South Africa is expanding its exports.

Spain: Blueberries have been the highest-paid in a range of berries

Fortunately, the blueberry season in Spain has turned out quite differently than initially thought, after last year's disastrous campaign, when the sector experienced heavy losses. "Blueberries have been the star of the range of berries this year,” says a trader. Prices have remained stable thanks, in part, to the fact that the weather has been colder and rainier than usual in April, making production very progressive and stable, with no varieties overlapping with others on dates when they usually occur. production peaks. Volumes have been around 20% lower than last season.

At the moment, the producers of Huelva are working with the late varieties and expect to continue until the end of June. The local production of the countries to which Spain exports is not very large at the moment, so Spanish exporters will continue to cover this gap until the end of June.

Colombia increases exports

Colombian fruit exports have registered an increase during the first four-month period of 2020, despite coinciding with the period of global expansion of COVID-19. According to ProColombia figures, the value of shipments between January and April has reached 125,3 million dollars, representing a growth of 9,37% compared to the 114,6 million dollars reported in the same period of 2019 .

China: cluster blueberry sales

The Chinese market has not yet fully recovered from the impact of the coronavirus. Especially relatively expensive fruits, such as blueberries, suffer from lack of interest. Sales are quite slow. There is still a lot of product available from Yunnan province, although its season is already over. Currently there are blueberries from Liaoning province with highly competitive prices and products from Shandong greenhouses, whose price is 15% lower than last year. Open field blueberries are coming to the market with prices of around € 3,73 / 0,5 kg. Blueberries are increasingly being sold in bunches in China, as are grapes. This format is popular with consumers because it conveys freshness.

South Africa: exports increase 50%

The South African blueberry sector is growing. Exports in 2019/2020 have increased 50% compared to last year: 12.282 tons compared to 8.000 tons in 2019/2018. For the 2020/2021 season, another strong increase is expected in exports to 17.000 tons and shipments of 2021 tons are expected for 2021/25.000. After five years, growth will slow down.

The new Marketing Forum of the South African Berry Producers Association recently had a meeting to discuss the marketing and logistics of blueberries. According to some experts, this is a sign that the sector is maturing. The South African harvest will begin in the north of the country in a month.

Netherlands: lower production is expected due to night frosts

The blueberry market in the Netherlands is currently almost empty. The Spanish season is coming to an end and the volumes and quality are not very good. There are only a few weeks left until the Dutch season starts. “In week 26, most companies in the south of the Netherlands will start harvesting,” says a grower, who anticipates a significantly lower output. “As a result of the overnight frosts in mid-May, I expect the harvest in the region to be 30-40% lower. The temperature of around -2ºC has wreaked havoc”.

“Much of the production has been frozen, but the differences between the companies will be great. Some companies have not suffered any type of loss, while in others the damage amounts to 70%. The same picture can be seen in northern Germany and Poland. This will not be an easy start. But the demand for Dutch blueberries will certainly be good, so growers and traders don't have to worry about a drop in price. On the other hand, what counts is the offer at a European level. There will be less product available, but it will be enough. When there is less product, the packaging formats always become smaller. During the main season, the containers are generally 500 grams. Maybe they will go down to 250 grams this year.”

Germany: balance between supply and demand

The demand for blueberries in the German market is currently quite modest, according to a wholesaler who supplies fruits and vegetables to the retail. Lower demand has been observed compared to other years. Due to the lack of labor and the weather conditions in the main Spanish growing areas, the total volume is 30-40% less than usual.

On the other hand, this exceptional situation has a positive effect on the market. Normally, during the European season, there is always an oversupply, which puts pressure on prices. "Now supply and demand are in balance and you can see relatively high prices, but not astronomical ones," explains the wholesaler.

Given the exceptional situation and the small harvest, the Spanish season ends earlier. The focus is now shifting to other growing areas, such as southern France. The first blueberries have been harvested in France about 10 days earlier than usual. For the first German blueberries, we will have to wait a little longer, until mid-July.

France: the harvest started two weeks ago

The blueberry harvest started two weeks ago in France. Producers are not having quality problems, but demand is not high and the total volume of blueberries from France, Spain and Portugal is significant. Blueberry consumption is increasing year after year in France, although it has not yet reached the level of most northern European countries.

Italy: Piedmont fills a gap in the market with the Duke variety

The blueberry season has just started in the Piedmont region. The demand for blueberries is strong and the quality of the product is good, better than in previous years. Compared to the previous season, the yield per hectare is somewhat lower, probably due to the mild winter. The main and most cultivated variety is Duke. In addition to the advantages in terms of flavor, shelf life and size, the Duke variety matures at the moment when Spain is at the end of the season and Poland has not yet started. This allows the Italian product to fill the shelves without problem. The main destination for Italian blueberries is the United Kingdom, where 60% of the fruit is headed. The other 40% goes to the domestic market, Germany and Switzerland.

A wholesaler in northern Italy says prices are good. Almost all blueberries in the wholesale markets in the north of the country are of Italian origin, but demand is not constant. Prices vary between € 8 and € 10 / kg. Supermarkets show a stronger trend. Prices stabilized after tougher anti-coronavirus measures eased. Sales to the hospitality sector are still affected by the lack of tourism in the country.

United States: Average volumes expected across the country

US blueberry volumes are good, but domestic demand is up and down, mainly due to the coronavirus. A producer summarizes the fluctuations of the last few months: "March was a good month for blueberries, April was dramatic, while May was not as good as March, but much better than April." In April, many blueberries were imported from Mexico, but Georgia and Florida also had a good crop. On the other hand, consumer purchasing habits have changed due to the pandemic and there was strong competition with strawberries.

California is now at peak production, which will continue for approximately two more weeks. Producers note that this season has been one of the best in a long time and that blueberries are in high demand. The volume is comparable to last year. North Carolina and Georgia are now also at the peak of their stocks with late varieties. Despite the coronavirus, demand for blueberries remains strong and packaging (type clamshell) also contribute to the consumer buying blueberries. In the last four weeks, an above-average price has been recorded, while in previous weeks the situation was the opposite.

After California, the harvest will move to Oregon, where there are also high expectations for this year's harvest. Producers expect better prices because the cost of production has increased and the Canadian dollar has fallen in value. At that time, harvesting will also begin in New Jersey and Michigan, where growers fear lower prices because of imports of Canadian and Peruvian produce on the east coast of the United States. Furthermore, Peru is expected to enter the market earlier than last year, which will increase pressure on prices.

Australia: sector takes action against loss of revenue

Due to the economic impact of the coronavirus, Berries Australia expects the sector's revenue to decrease by € 18,3 million. The sector has started a collection project through a voluntary tax aimed at large buyers of blueberries with the aim of protecting national production. Blueberries are grown throughout the year in different regions of the country. In winter, production is located in New South Wales. Production in 2019 increased by 13% compared to 2018, reaching 19.008 tons, while the value increased by 10%. Blueberry exports decreased 9%, totaling 201 tons, but the value increased 8%. 1.555 tonnes were imported, mainly from New Zealand.