Faced with weather events that can affect production, varietal selection becomes increasingly important for blueberry cultivation in Peru. According to Stefano Mosi, Commercial Manager of Planasa in Peru, a variety must demonstrate not only productive potential but also the ability to maintain quality when conditions become more challenging.

“The varieties of blueberries "They must have a high capacity to adapt to climate variability, as well as being very productive and maintaining the best quality standards demanded by the market in complicated scenarios," says Mosi.

The executive points out that Planasa's varieties have shown minimal production losses under conditions associated with El Niño, a result which, he explains, is consistent with what was observed in 2023.

“That is extremely important for us because it is already a constant in two weather events that will most likely become more and more frequent,” he says.

According to Mosi, this behavior allows a variety to be evaluated by its response when production conditions become more complex.

Productivity per plant

According to Mosi, production remains one of the primary criteria producers must consider, though not without also considering fruit quality and post-harvest characteristics. “As producers, we must always prioritize production as a starting point, but we cannot neglect the other variables,” he explains.

Productivity is also linked, in his view, to the labor challenge. Mosi anticipates that the availability of agricultural workers will become increasingly limited and suggests that a higher fruit load per plant can make harvesting more attractive to workers. “In the short to medium term, labor will be a problem as it becomes increasingly scarce,” he says. Here, Planasa's genetics play an important role, as they have consistently demonstrated the ability to produce a significant supply of fruit with high concentration. These are attractive conditions when seeking workers for harvesting and substantially reduce costs per kilogram, he maintains.

Price and volume in the profitability equation

When asked whether the priority should be producing more kilos or generating fruit with higher commercial value, Mosi places the answer in the relationship between price and quantity. “I believe that ultimately, you should always start with price per kilo,” he says.

The expression refers to the combination of price and quantity as the basis of revenue. Following this logic, Mosi mentions Madeira and Maldives among the Planasa varieties that the company links to this approach.

Technology to support the producer

Along with genetics, Planasa is implementing various technological tools through which its technical team manages field information, such as productivity, fertilization, irrigation, and post-harvest data. “We now have a comprehensive approach to technology focused on providing our clients with the best possible service,” explains Mosi.

Currently, these tools are used internally to support the technical team and report generation. The next step will be to deliver this information directly to producers via online links.

The challenge of the current campaign

In the development of the current campaign, Mosi believes that the market of blueberry Demand remains high, and the main challenge will be maintaining a consistent exportable supply. In this context, choosing a varietal program capable of guaranteeing favorable production, even in climatically challenging seasons like the one the industry is experiencing in 2026-2027, is crucial.

Their Blue Madeira, Blue Manila and Blue Maldives varieties, along with the technical support they offer, have allowed producers to maintain their exportable supply, contributing to the continuity of their commercial programs and the strengthening of relationships with their clients in international markets.

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