The European blueberry market opens the season with the Netherlands absorbing large volumes from Chile, following a smooth transition from the Peruvian season. This comes amidst increasing pressure on spot market prices due to lingering stockpiles. In Italy, imports dominate the winter supply, with Peruvian fruit leading in volume and prices remaining high but stable in wholesale markets.

In Spain, the cold and rainy weather in Huelva is delaying the early varieties, resulting in limited volumes and allowing suppliers from the Southern Hemisphere to maintain their presence on supermarket shelves. Germany continues to rely heavily on imports from Chile, Peru, and South Africa, where good quality and limited availability in wholesale markets are supporting prices at the end of the week.

The French market is supplied primarily by Spain, Morocco, and Peru, with stable but slightly lower prices due to increased availability and quality issues related to moisture in the Spanish fruit. In North America, strong demand is absorbing volumes from Chile and Peru, while Mexico prepares for peak supply, and domestic production in California and Florida is adjusting to weather conditions. South Africa is concluding its blueberry export season following favorable conditions in the Western Cape province. Port delays have diverted some of the 25.600-ton harvest to the local market, and northern areas are preparing to resume harvesting.

Egypt is entering the blueberry export market with an early production extending into May, putting it ahead of major competitors. Current volumes remain limited but are gradually increasing. Morocco's blueberry season started later than usual due to adverse weather conditions, with initial quality issues in the north. Peru is beginning its 2025/26 season with higher volumes and a wider market reach, creating competitive pressure during overlapping weeks. Chile is operating within a stable January-March window with good fruit condition, while Mexico maintains a balanced supply, focusing on premium varieties. Ecuador, meanwhile, remains a niche source with limited volumes and higher FOB prices concentrated in select channels.

Spain: Cold and rain limit early fruit volumes

The drop in temperatures in Huelva, below 5 degrees Celsius since mid-December, combined with prolonged periods of cloudy skies and rain, has resulted in a more limited supply of berries than usual for this time of year. This situation is expected to continue for several more weeks. As a result, early blueberry varieties are delayed and volumes remain lower than anticipated.

Spanish blueberries are available on European supermarket shelves, but the supply from the Southern Hemisphere, especially from Peru, Chile, and South Africa, continues to dominate. From mid-February onwards, Spanish blueberries are expected to play a more prominent role in the market.

Blueberries have consolidated their position as the second largest berry crop in the province of Huelva, by far the leading producing region in Spain, with a 1,5% increase in planted area, reaching a total of 3.802 hectares. Varietal diversification allows for earlier production, starting in December, improving competitiveness against South American supply and thus responding to the growing demand from Spanish consumers. However, the sector warns of increasing competition from third countries such as Morocco and Egypt, as well as a significant expansion of cultivated area in Portugal.

Netherlands: Chile's large volumes shape the market

“The transition from the Peruvian blueberry season to the Chilean season towards the end of 2025 went smoothly,” says a Dutch importer. “Peru continued to ship good quality fruit in solid volumes for an extended period, while Chilean blueberries entered the market relatively early by historical standards. The first arrivals occurred in week 50, followed by considerable volumes in weeks 51 and 52. By now, volumes are clearly higher than the previous week. The bulk of the volumes are now arriving on the market.”

"Importers with fixed sales programs are managing to move these volumes without problems. Those working with the spot market through service providers are encountering greater difficulties. In several cases, stocks are being held for up to a week, leading to consecutive weekly price reductions. This is affecting overall market conditions. The retail sector's response has been to increase pressure on agreed-upon pricing structures, backed by its strong negotiating position."

“During the first few weeks, Chilean blueberries entered the market in generally good condition. More recently, however, somewhat smaller batches have begun to appear. As a result, market attention, in order to safeguard quality, is already shifting towards the upcoming Moroccan season, which is expected to start about two weeks later than anticipated due to a cold spell. This is likely to create a brief supply gap between Chilean and Moroccan produce, and the Moroccan season is expected to begin with very high prices,” the importer added.

Italy: Imported supply keeps prices firm

At this stage of the season, the blueberries available on the Italian market come primarily from Peru, which is currently the main supplier. The first shipments from Chile are also available, and their quality is considered good. The most common packaging format remains the 125-gram tub. Blueberries are now available on supermarket shelves year-round: in spring and summer, the supply gradually shifts towards fruit of Italian origin, while during the winter months, the market relies almost entirely on imports from outside Europe.

In all the Italian wholesale fruit and vegetable markets analyzed during the third week of 2026, blueberry prices remained high. In Rome, premium Peruvian blueberries in tubs cost between €14 and €16, a slight decrease compared to previous weeks. In Turin, prices ranged from €13,50 to €14,50, and in Naples, from €13 to €15. In Verona, prices ranged from €13 to €14.

Overall, the market is characterized by constant demand and a supply concentrated almost exclusively on imported fruit, with prices that remain high but generally stable.

Germany: Imported volumes dominate the winter market

Chilean, Peruvian, and South African blueberries currently dominate the German market. The first deliveries of Chilean blueberries to German retailers arrived shortly before the new year. Due to weather conditions, the Chilean season started earlier than usual and is also expected to end earlier. Overall, total volumes are likely to be similar to last year's.

The quality is generally good, especially in terms of firmness and shelf life. According to one importer, this is partly due to favorable weather conditions in the main production areas and the increasing range of available cultivars.

In the wholesale segment, the supply of blueberries has been generally limited, which has resulted in higher prices towards the end of the week.

France: Imported goods set the tone in the market

The French blueberry market is supplied primarily by fruit from Spain, Morocco, and Peru. In January, prices are not exceptionally high, but remain relatively stable, with a slight downward trend in some segments due to increased availability and more intense competition among the different origins. According to one trader, Spanish blueberries are facing quality problems related to excess moisture resulting from persistent rain in the growing regions.

North America: Strong demand keeps prices up

Chile continues to ship blueberries to North America, although supply is expected to decrease as February approaches. Most of the Chilean volume is likely to be depleted by the end of February. Peru is maintaining stable shipping levels, while Mexico is approaching its seasonal peak, which will occur in early February.

On the national front, the organic supply from Oxnard, California, is expected to peak in mid-February. Despite recent seasonal rains and the cooler morning temperatures typical of January, fruit quality remains good as the California season progresses.

A seven-day cold snap is expected in the Southeast this week, which could push back Florida's harvest, currently two to three weeks ahead of last year, bringing it closer to a more traditional schedule. Good volumes are expected in Florida by late March or early April. Demand remains strong. Even with the significant volumes arriving from Chile and Peru in the last month, demand has been sufficient to prevent market congestion. Consequently, prices remain favorable and have been relatively stable throughout the season.

South Africa: Port delays divert volumes to the local market

The final shipments of South African blueberries are now en route following a weather-favorable season in the Western Cape province, characterized by warm and dry conditions. However, from week 40 onwards, port delays began to affect export flows, resulting in some volume being diverted from export programs to the domestic market.

During the 2025/2026 season, South Africa exported 25.600 tons of blueberries, primarily to the European Union and the United Kingdom. This represents an increase compared to the previous season. Shipping accounted for almost 72% of total shipments.

In the northern regions of the country, continuous rain is limiting access to the fields. The blueberry harvest in these areas is expected to resume next week, with volumes largely destined for the local market.

Egypt: An early window before the arrival of other origins

Egyptian blueberries are arriving on the market for an export season that will last until May, with the harvest expected to peak between February and March. This gives Egypt an early trading window before the peak supply from competing origins.

Blueberry production in Egypt is relatively recent, and volumes remain below the level needed for the country to play a significant role in the global market. One producer commented, “The expansion of cultivated land is constant and progressing organically in tandem with the growth in demand, as our fruit wins over more and more buyers. I believe Egyptian producers will establish themselves as credible competitors with significant volumes within 5 to 7 years.” He added, “In the meantime, we are positioning ourselves as a complementary supplier to our Moroccan counterparts.”

Morocco: Season delayed by weather conditions

The blueberry season in the Larache region of northern Morocco has just begun, about three weeks later than last season due to adverse weather conditions. Prior to the start of the Larache harvest, the Agadir cycle in central Morocco had also underperformed for the same reasons, although the Agadir season is still ongoing and may improve.

Seasonal delays have been recorded year after year, suggesting that climate-related changes are becoming an increasingly common feature of blueberry production in Morocco.

The first harvests in the north of the country are facing challenges related to fruit color and Brix levels, attributed to low temperatures, reduced hours of sunshine, and persistent rain. According to a growers' representative, total volumes this season are expected to exceed last year's levels due to the expansion of the planted area. Fruit size is not expected to be affected, as current sizes meet varietal specifications, reflecting a gradual shift by growers toward larger cultivars. Production is expected to peak in April, provided there are no major weather-related disruptions.

Peru: Increased supply puts pressure on prices

The 2025/26 Peruvian blueberry season is starting with higher volumes and increased competition, an increasingly longer production window, and a better-distributed supply throughout the year. Exports are growing by nearly 20%, consolidating the US as the main destination, while Europe and China are gaining ground. The increased supply is putting pressure on prices, especially during weeks with greater overlap. Varietal replacement and market diversification are key to maintaining profitability.

Chile: Stable window with better fruit yield

Chile has exceeded initial estimates, with a season characterized by improved fruit condition and advances in genetics. Its marketing window between January and March remains attractive, with relatively stable prices that are somewhat better than last season. Fruit quality and post-harvest handling continue to be key factors, especially for programs targeting Europe and Asia.

Mexico: Greater focus on premium varieties

The Mexican market is showing stability, with less planted area but a greater focus on premium varieties. The phase-out of older genetics has streamlined the supply, leading to more stable prices. The trend is clear: less volume, more quality, and a greater commitment to premium fruit that meets the demands of discerning markets.

Ecuador: Niche origin with limited volumes

Ecuador continues to position itself as a niche origin. With limited volumes and a strong focus on the domestic market, the FOB price is between $5 and $6/kg, while the local market pays more. Growth is supported by varietal renewal and year-round quality production, although cross-border trade puts pressure on domestic prices.