(Agraria.pe) The National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) certified 18,103.37 hectares of blueberries in 2022, which represented an increase of 11.13% compared to 2021 (16,290.58 hectares).

In addition, in the last 7 years, the certified blueberry area went from 2,188.23 ha in 2016 to 18,103.37 in 2022, which means an increase of 727.37%.

The evolution of the certified blueberry area was as follows: In 2016 there were 2,188.23 certified hectares; in 2017 (4,637.35 ha); in 2018 (7,502.85 ha); 2019 (10,913.12 ha); 2020 (13.699.47 ha); 2021 (16,290.58 ha); and 2022 (18,103.37 ha).

In this regard, the president of the consulting firm Inform@cción, Fernando Cillóniz Benavides, indicated that the rate of growth of blueberry areas in our country is falling, but continues to grow.

"Despite the low blueberry prices, this trend will continue and we will continue to produce more blueberries. We are going to have more hectares of blueberries in 2023. Remember that in 2022 there were hectares that have not been certified by Senasa because they are growing and will enter production in 2023, ”he said.

Main regions and varieties
He highlighted that, in 2022, the region with the largest certified blueberry area is La Libertad with 8,445.16 ha (8,277.75 ha in 2021); followed by Lambayeque with 4,930.74 ha (3,608.34 ha); Ica 1,272.53 ha (1,255.05 ha); Lima 1,231.28 ha (1,236.38 ha); Ancash 1,148.99 (1,012.05 ha); Piura 965.80 ha (858.07 ha); Moquegua 72.87 ha (42.94 ha).

In addition, in 2016 only 5 regions (La Libertad, Lambayeque, Ica, Lima and Áncash) had certified blueberry fields, however, today there are 7 regions that enjoy this benefit (Piura and Moquegua were added). In addition, in 2019 fields in Cajamarca were certified, which were not certified in 2022.

The main variety of certified blueberries in 2022 was Ventura with 5,785.55 ha (5,290.76 ha in 2021). This variety is the most certified since 2021, displacing Biloxi, which in 2022 certified 4,870.45 ha (4,915.26 ha).

It is followed by Rocío with 1,158.52 ha in 2022 (1,238.09 ha in 2021); Emerald 1,125.87 ha (1,033.84 ha); Sekoya Pop 915.00 ha (424.65 ha); AtlasBlue 676.40 ha (425.65 ha); Sekoya Beauty 490.61 ha (365.62 ha); Magic 324.26 ha (215.56 ha); Salvador 316.46 ha (119.74 ha); another 2,440.75 ha (2,261.41 ha).

Cillóniz indicated that the same thing happens with blueberries that happens with grapes, that is, a varietal replacement. "In this case, the areas of the generic variety such as Biloxi are decreasing, and patented varieties such as Ventura, which are more productive, are increasing."