Reports from around the world point to the dynamism of the global blueberry market. The Netherlands is dealing with ongoing shortages, especially of product from Peru and South Africa, resulting in persistently high prices and difficulties for suppliers. In Germany, importers are facing a notable decline in volumes, which has led to prices doubling and smaller packaging being used. France has Peruvian and Portuguese blueberries and anticipates greater supply from Argentina and Morocco in December. In Italy, high yields are recorded in blueberry crops in Emilia-Romagna, with a market dominated by imports from the southern hemisphere. South Africa is prospering by taking advantage of shortages and high demand, while North America expects an increase in supply after the shocks caused by El Niño.

Spain: Storm Bernard will reduce the volumes of early blueberries
The earliest blueberry plantations in Huelva are still in the growth phase. Storm Bernard, which hit the Spanish province of Huelva at the end of October, caused significant damage to the red fruit sector, affecting around 2.000 hectares. The sudden gusts of wind, which exceeded 100 km/h, caused widespread damage to infrastructure and directly to production. Although raspberries were the most damaged product because they were already in season, blueberries were also affected. Blueberry bushes are more vigorous than raspberry or strawberry plants, but the earliest varieties, which were already in an advanced stage this year, will be directly affected and volumes will be reduced. At the moment, the blueberries found in the Spanish market are being imported mainly from Peru.

Netherlands: Prices expected to remain high due to blueberry shortage expected in December
The last few weeks have been very difficult for blueberry suppliers, traders and packers due to volume shortages from both Peru and South Africa. The market has continued to register a lot of demand for blueberries and this has led to a strange price situation for a very long period of time. While in recent years South Africa's output has been qualitatively inferior to that of South America, we see that this trend has reversed this year. Peru has berries very sensitive, while South Africa has been offering very firm fruit. El Niño has had a great impact on both volume and quality, and it is feared that it will continue to affect Peruvian productions during the next two seasons.

«This year has been revealing, especially for the retailers, "They have realized that the product is not standard at the time they place their orders," says a Dutch importer. «Looking ahead to the coming weeks, a good supply of blueberries is expected until week 48/49, but still not large enough to cover the needs of the entire market, unlike what we are used to seeing in recent weeks. years. Prices will remain high as large shortages are expected again in December. In short, a complicated situation in the market that keeps everyone alert and working hard to be able to offer the best to customers and growers. “Together we will have to get through this period and that can only be achieved through good communication and setting fair prices for growers.”

Belgium: Shortages cause big price increases
«Right now we are working mainly with blueberries from Peru; the Sekoya variety," explains a Belgian trader. «However, they are very expensive at the moment. There are many soft varieties that we cannot sell. Red fruits in general are now very expensive. Until recently, we had three different varieties here, but now what matters is finding affordable products. There are no cheaper alternatives, because the quality leaves much to be desired. However, they continue to sell quite well. "The ease of use of blueberries makes them very popular these days, and if the quality is also good, people are quite willing to pay for it."

Germany: Importers only receive half the normal volume
Due to bottlenecks in Peru, the supply situation on the global blueberry market is currently very tense. Compared to last year, import volumes have halved, so prices have doubled. Due to the lack of volumes, German food retailers are also being forced to offer the fruit in smaller packages of 125 to 300 grams, instead of 500. To compensate to some extent for the shortage, the South African season starts relatively early. this year. Goods have even been sent by plane to bring forward the start of the season. The same occurs with the reduced volumes from Chile. Shortages are expected until January 2024, when productions in Chile and Morocco should be at full capacity again.

France: Peruvian and Portuguese blueberries in the French market
The two origins currently present on the market are Peru and Portugal. There are also some products from Argentina, but the supply of this origin will intensify starting in December. Moroccan blueberries will also hit the French market in December. Demand remains “normal for this time of year,” according to one professional.

Italy: Great yields in Emilia-Romagna
Blueberry consumption in Italy shows a positive and growing trend. The data reveals an increase of 11% between 2021 and 2022. Italian production has already come to an end. Currently, the blueberries sold in Italian supermarkets come mainly from countries in the southern hemisphere, such as South Africa, and are sold at a price between 16 and 20 euros/kg, packaged in the classic 125 gram baskets. There is no shortage of promotions: a supermarket chain offers them at 1,99 euros per basket.

A major producer in Emilia-Romagna says that 2023 will be remembered as a good year in his region. Very good yields have been obtained, with more than 2,5 kg per plant. The main varieties are Duke, Titanium and Megas Blues. During the harvest, which ended a few weeks ago, prices started very well, even wholesale, with more than €7/kg. They then dropped to 5,50-6 euros when the supply on the market increased. In direct sales, however, the price reached €15/kg for the best quality production.

South Africa: Very positive situation in the blueberry market
The market situation is very favorable for South African blueberries and prices are not expected to drop soon due to the shortage in Peru, which has already passed the peak of a very reduced harvest.

“Things are looking really good for South African blueberries,” says an industry source, who highlights that all markets – the UK, EU, Middle East and Far East – remain stable.

The blueberry harvest in the north, affected by rain, is already over. Activity has now moved to the Western Cape and plenty of fruit is expected in the coming weeks. Exported volumes are lower than last year. Although it is not yet known for certain, the Western Cape harvest does not appear to have decreased.

"Blueberries have been very affected," says a distributor. "The rain has made things difficult, but since prices in Europe are so good and Peru has seen its volume reduced, a lot of fruit has been sent by plane to meet demand."

In fact, this season more blueberries have been shipped by air than by sea, which represents a return to the situation of a few years ago. Last year, in week 44, just over 3 million tons had left by air; This year, almost 5 million tons of blueberries have left by plane. On the other hand, in week 44 of 2022, 11,19 million tons had been shipped, and this year the figure is 4,6 million tons.

Meanwhile, South African consumers are enjoying cheap blueberries – 12 125g packets for 65 rand (3,25 euros) at one point of sale – but a fruit seller thinks the price will rise.

North America: The long-awaited blueberry supply arrives
Blueberry volumes are finally increasing in the North American market. El Niño affected a large amount of Peruvian fruit that would normally have been shipped to the US in October-early November. Better conditions in markets in Asia and Europe also attracted shipments that would normally have ended up in the US. However, volume being shipped to North America is improving and is expected to continue through February-March. Argentina began its shipments in mid-October and will finish in a few weeks. Very small volumes are already arriving from Chile. Starting in the second week of December, the offer will be reinforced until the holidays. Mexico is also shipping blueberries primarily to the southeast and southwest regions.

Demand has remained strong and prices are approximately $15 to $20 higher than this time last year. Normally, at this time of year, the market is very tight and demand and prices experience sharp declines as Chilean imports increase and Peru reaches its peak.