This season, Peru exported 217.000 tons of blueberries until last week, that is, 28% more than in the same period last season. According to the general manager of Proarándanos, Luis Miguel Vegas, last year Peru was able to open the markets of India and Malaysia, and in 2022 the country was able to open the Israeli market and agricultural exporters are working to open four new markets: South Korea South, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia.

"These countries have very large populations and, therefore, are interesting destinations for blueberries. Depending on the volumes they absorb, they may even be behind China and become the main export destinations for the fruit," said the executive, adding that they had a list of up to 10 new countries for this commercial activity.

Exports

The country is expected to export 290.000 tons of blueberries in the campaign that began in May and will end between March and April, that is, 31% more volume than in the previous campaign. Peru currently produces blueberries on 17.943 hectares that have undergone a significant varietal change in recent years. Locally, today there are 65 varieties, while in 2016 there were only 13.

“Six years ago, almost 60% of the hectares were dedicated to the Biloxi variety. In 2022, this variety only represents 25% of the hectares. It has been displaced by Ventura blueberry, which now has a 33% stake,” he said.

logistics costs

Despite the increase in volumes, agro-exporters are being affected by the high costs of sea freight, which end up affecting the profit margins of businessmen, said Vegas.

Shipping costs have risen between $3,000 and $5,000 per container, depending on the market, the union said.

You can obtain more information about the Peruvian blueberry industry and its competitiveness strategies in the next XXIV International Seminar Blueberries Peru 2023. After the success of the last edition, we meet again in Lima, this March 8 and 9 at the CCL Convention Center, with new networking spaces and the exhibition of high-level technical and commercial talks that characterize the renowned events organized by Blueberry Consulting.