The global blueberry market is characterized by what exporters and importers call persistently high prices, high demand and some see lower but better quality arriving compared to other seasons. In general, there is less fruit available from the world's leading blueberry exporter, Peru, or its South American counterparts, Mexico and Chile. This is mainly due to weather challenges that continued into the New Year.

European markets in the Netherlands (where “persistently high prices are seen”), Italy and central and eastern Europe are seeing very high prices, while alternative sources, such as South Africa, were sought over the Christmas and New Year period. However, that country struggled to fully capitalize on this trend due to port inefficiencies and having to resort to more expensive air transport to meet increased demand.

North America is experiencing increased supply with above-average prices for blueberries. Portugal hopes to have one of its best seasons yet. Morocco, which has managed to harvest despite difficult weather, will record peak volumes at the end of January.

Peru: Volumes remain low
Peruvian producers with, especially, traditional blueberry varieties remain scarce, with the latest statistics from industry body ProArandanos up to week 50 of 2023 showing a 43% reduction in volumes to Europe for the 2023/24 season in comparison with the previous season. One exporter said they are seeing: “high prices and high demand with lower quality than in previous seasons.” Growers with older varieties are said to be having a harder time, while those with newer varieties have experienced a better response to drier weather conditions.

Chile: lower volumes, but supply capacity to meet demand
According to the Chilean Blueberry Committee, the maximum shipment volumes occurred in the last weeks of December, between Christmas and New Year. “The higher temperatures in the last two weeks of the year just ended caused faster ripening in those orchards that were close to harvest and this was felt in the greater volume of production. Weeks 51 and 52 combined produced 20.507 tonnes, slightly more than expected. This means an accumulated volume of the season of 33.888 tons until the last week of 2023, 31% less than last season,” states the committee.

Currently, Chilean blueberries come mainly from the large producing areas of Chile, the Central-South zone that includes the regions of Maule, Ñuble and Bío Bío. “Therefore, the impact of the weather, both in the delay seen before Christmas due to low temperatures, and in the current acceleration, is manifested directly and strongly in the volume harvested and shipped. The total estimated volume of fresh fruit for export this season has not changed compared to its last review in December, which remains at 73.500 tons.

Another Chilean exporter said that the lower volumes and delays in this country are due to different reasons, “due to the delay of the earliest varieties, this volume came along with the mid-season varieties. Also due to rough seas, some vessels were not allowed to enter the port, so containers were transferred to vessels expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Therefore, with all these factors together it is difficult to predict the market. We know that there is less volume for the entire Chilean season, but we also know that the market will be under pressure for arrivals due to the high concentration of volume, especially during weeks 3, 4 and 5.

Netherlands: Blueberry prices remain persistently high
For several months now, blueberry prices have remained consistently high. «Peru offers good quality, but prices are persistently high and the available supply is limited. The lingering effects of El Niño will continue to affect Peruvian production this year, according to a Dutch importer. «This year we experienced weather conditions in October/November, and the phenomenon returned in December/January. Availability will not be easy even in the next season. While it may not be as hot as this year, I still anticipate significant shortages and high prices. Consequently, prices will remain at a high level, especially for this time of year. Sekoya berries sell for between 10,50 and 11 euros per kilogram, and even standard varieties reach prices of around 9,50 euros. Despite this, demand remains strong. "You might expect purchases to decline significantly, but for many consumers, blueberries have become a staple in their daily diet."

Italy: Consumers buy 4% more blueberries
Currently, most of the blueberries consumed in Italy come from Peru and Chile. This was confirmed by a retail buyer responsible for about 200 stores in central Italy. Blueberries can be found on supermarket shelves all year round, but in spring and summer they come from Italy. Blueberries are the best-selling red fruits. This is because it is the fruit that is best preserved at home. Compared to raspberries, for example, which is the second most sold, consumption is approximately three times higher. The 125 gram tray is the most popular, but in summer 250 gram trays are also sold. One buyer said that he purchases the product at prices between €1,50 and €1,70 for a 125-gram tray. This is considered a normal price. At the moment, the predominant price of Peruvian blueberries in the wholesale markets of northern Italy is 16,50 euros.

In Italy, blueberries are mainly bought in the large cities of northern Italy, especially in the northeast. Supermarkets, already the main channel for blueberries, gained five percent more buyers last year, while discounters came in second, increasing their market share by three percent. Although blueberry purchases in Italy increased by 4% in 2023, the average amount purchased per capita fell from 270 to 250 grams in one year. The decrease in quantities depends on inflation and the lower purchasing power of consumers. In total, 6,5 million Italian households buy blueberries.

Germany: Last shipments from South Africa and first large quantities from Chile in week 3
A berry trader in southern Germany expects the last shipments from South Africa in week 3, while the first main quantities from Chile will arrive at the same time. However, Chile has a delay of approximately two weeks. Weeks 4 to 7 of the calendar will also see the first large-format advertisements. The price has remained constant till date and has also remained at a high level for a long period of time. Prices in recent weeks were probably so high because there was a lack of quantities from Peru. Peru is the largest producer of fresh blueberries, so the decrease in quantities has shaken the entire market, according to the trader. El Niño is the main person responsible for the situation in Peru. The El Niño effect is likely to continue into 2024, so producers are adapting their production methods accordingly.

In 2023, Peru had 30 to 40 percent fewer quantities available than the previous year. As a result, there were fewer products

Peruvians available, but were offset by South African blueberries. Chile will also likely have 15 to 20 percent fewer products, which also explains the two-week delay. Morocco and Spain are also behind schedule this year. No significant volumes are expected before March. The demand for organic blueberries, coming mainly from Chile, remains constant and with increasing production volumes, but not as much as in previous years. However, this is probably due to a lack of promotion. Therefore, the organic segment is growing more slowly.

Portugal: hopes to have one of the best seasons so far
The Portuguese blueberry harvest is scheduled to start in week 3 and one exporter is targeting around 1600 tonnes of blueberries in 2024. There is very strong demand, affected not only by the lack of volume from Chile/Peru, but also by the fact that demand has not stopped increasing in recent years. So far a slight increase in prices has been noted, which has to do both with the lower volumes coming from Peru and Chile, as well as with inflation in general. Portugal is expected to have one of the best seasons so far, not only in kilos but also in quality.

South Africa: High demand from Europe, unable to fully capitalize
Europe was paying high dollar prices for blueberries during the latter part of 2023, one exporter notes, and South Africa was ready to capitalize on an empty blueberry market.

Exporters were barely able to meet demand, as exportable volumes were lower than last year. Unseasonal rains caused quality problems and in the domestic market blueberries were sold at prices unimaginable five years ago. Delays at South African ports sometimes hampered things (again over Christmas and New Year) and almost half of the blueberries exported were transported by air.

"The only way we could afford air transport was because Peru's production collapsed and the Panama Canal is a big surprise," says a logistics agent, adding: "South Africa was the only supplier of blueberries at that time."

During the 2022/2023 season, almost 85% of South Africa's blueberries left by ship; Last season, that figure fell to 55,8% due to strong demand and a desire to avoid South African ports.

“If they had been able to use shipping to the extent they did last year, South Africa would have capitalized in a big way.” As things stand, the source continues, producers received viable profits this year, good news for an industry hit by adversity since Covid.

Exports have mostly ended, and in week 52 (final figures not yet available) South Africa exported almost 21.000 tonnes (a 13% decrease from the previous year), of which around 17.000 tonnes went to Europe and the United Kingdom (4.200 tons less than the previous year). during 2022/2023).

Trade elsewhere such as the Middle East, Far East/Asia, Indian Ocean Islands and Russia showed an uptick.

Spain: Delay in the start of the Spanish campaign
In Huelva the blueberry campaign is delayed, as is the strawberry. “This year our forecast is that it will be a good year for blueberries, similar to last year, with good prices although production was not very high. The only thing we hope is that the varieties arrive on time so that production does not come together and we can avoid supply pressure, although it is still early to know what will happen."

"However, delaying the campaign a little is going to be very good for us, because Peru has entered at the end of this year and that will prevent us from entering the market competing directly with them," says an operator in the sector.

North America: Blueberry supply recovers
The supply of blueberries is improving, although it is still scarce because the overall Chilean harvest is down between 20 and 30 percent. Production outside Chile started slowly but is now recovering.

Supply of Chilean blueberries came in to North America earlier this year because shippers were trying to capture a good market, one that was very good in early December. However, although the quality was not as good then, it is improving now. Shipments should continue through March, although peak supply will begin in early February.

Peru's crop is also down this season by about 30 percent due to the El Niño winter, although its shipments have increased in the past three weeks. Colombia is also moving some blueberries as is Mexico. As for demand in North America, it is strong because during the Peruvian season the price was so high that retailers could not publish ads. Those ads are now starting to absorb the incoming volume.

All this makes prices above average. The market is likely to drop a little, but it is fairly stable and is expected to remain that way throughout the season.

Morocco: Maximum volumes expected at the end of January
The first harvests took place at the end of December in the Loukkos/Gharb axis (northwest of the country), which is the main production area in Morocco, and before in the Souss Massa region. Peak volumes are expected for the end of January. An exporter says: "The product is of excellent quality and of various calibers, which promises a good campaign." The area devoted to berries in Morocco has increased by almost 30% this year, industry experts report. This increase is the result of a significant number of growers switching from strawberries to blueberries and blackberries.

Production conditions were difficult, mainly due to storms and unstable weather. But it was possible to maintain good yields with more irrigation, according to the same source.

Regarding prices, the exporter states: “There is still a lot of uncertainty and it is too early to establish an average price. However, farmgate prices have never fallen below those of the previous season, despite daily fluctuations. «

Morocco is currently benefiting from a period of low competition in the international market, as the Peruvian calendars are ending and Spain will not enter the market until March.

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