Concurrent with the signing of the updated trade agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico (USMCA), the US government has committed to respond to the concerns of the agricultural products industry about certain commodities. Following a field hearing in August, the national blueberry industry is asking the United States government to investigate the impact that all blueberry imports have on domestic production. Soren Bjorn, President of Driscoll's of the Americas explains why trade barriers would not solve the concerns of the domestic industry.

No supplies in spring and fall

“The blueberry industry around the world has seen significant changes in the last decade,” says Bjorn. “When I started leading Driscoll's blueberry division 12 years ago, the United States and Canada supplied the domestic market in the summer, while Chile and Argentina were in the market during the northern hemisphere winter. We still had to calculate supplies in spring and fall, ”he added. "A decade ago, there was no blueberry production in Peru and almost nothing in Mexico." This presented a clear market opportunity.

Production growth in Mexico and South America

Since then, the industry has experienced some major innovations. The development of genetics, the rise of public and private breeding programs, new production technologies and cultivation under tunnels are some examples of investments made. "These investments have generally been made in countries like Chile, Peru and Mexico," said Bjorn. "The Peruvian government even opened water projects to bring water to areas that otherwise would not have been able to grow blueberries." As a result of these improvements, acreage and yields per acre increased significantly and blueberry production experienced massive growth within a decade.

Consumption multiplied by ten.

“This increase in production has caused an explosion in demand,” Bjorn continued. Per capita consumption in the US has increased 0,2 lbs. 20 years ago at 2 lbs. per capita today. “That's an impressive number and a huge win for growers and consumers alike, but I think there's room to increase consumption to at least 4lbs. per capita. If strawberry consumption is 8 lbs. per capita, why can't blueberries be in 4? ”

Trade barriers stop innovation

“For the North American industry to continue to grow, trade barriers will not be the solution,” Bjorn said. They would stop innovation while increasing production per acre and developing new varieties are key to increasing supply and demand. In Peru, blueberry yields are 18.000 to 20.000 pounds. per acre, while the average yield in Florida and Georgia is 4.000 to 5.000 pounds/acre. “No matter how many trade barriers are put up, the performance difference between countries is too great for the national industry to be competitive,” he said. Some domestic growers have invested in tunneling and are getting yields close to 20.000 lbs/acre. “That kind of innovation is necessary to be competitive.”

Blueberries grown in tunnels.

New varieties

On the consumer side, attention should be focused on improving the product. Although western states like Washington and Oregon have increased productivity in recent years, some older varieties are still grown. "While they may be great producers, they lack good taste." Newer varieties taste better, earning growers a premium and keeping consumers coming back for repeat purchases. In South America, Driscoll's works almost exclusively with new varieties from the company's own breeding program, and the market rewards the availability of premium varieties. “Our Arana variety is sold under the special Sweetest Batch label and super premium varieties like these receive 30 to 40 percent more fob” Bjorn is confident that southern retailers will reward locally grown, great tasting varieties with a premium. .

With a focus on product improvement, there is an opportunity for the national industry to maintain the momentum of blueberries.