Uruguay: ad portas to export blueberries to China
Uruguay produces around 2.300 tons of annual blueberries, of which 2 thousand are destined for export, where the main destinations are Europe and the United States, with shares of 60% and 40%, respectively.
Despite the fact that the blueberry production in Uruguay has not yet been consolidated, they have been positioning themselves little by little and in a stable way. The opening of the Chinese market is presented as a relevant growth opportunity.
Marta Betancur, of the Union of Fruit Producers and Exporters of Uruguay (Upefruy), explained that the blueberry sector has been concentrated in a small number of companies in Uruguay and this year they will have the re-entry of one of the large companies, Midgold.
However, he pointed out that: "This year, the novelty is the opening of the Chinese market. For Uruguay, the diversification of markets in which we are working from the public and private sectors is very important to accelerate the entry to several markets ".
The protocol for Uruguayan blueberries to enter China would be signed this July 29. "Uruguay will receive the visit of two people from China to analyze the production sites and packing plants that will be involved in the export. They will come for a period of one week, after this, the export can be started"Betancur said. This year a pilot export would be made to test the market and growth would be more sustained as of next year, he added.
The protocol includes a treatment with methyl bromide for air travel; there is the possibility of cold treatment in origin or in transit, but in the case of Uruguay, transportation is practically impossible given the remoteness.
"It is a possibility of placement in a growing market, with good prices. We have the American market and several countries in Europe. In Asia we made some incursions through Hong Kong, but the interest was to enter the ROC market"Said Betancur.
Regarding the US market, he pointed out that exports have declined due to the fact that companies that have a bromide chamber have decreased compared to those that can export to any destination.
The blueberry season in Uruguay begins at the end of August, but the bulk of the export is from September's 15, in October and November. "At the end of November, with Chile's entry into the international market, Uruguay no longer has many possibilities and very small quantities are exported".
"The idea is to be able to enter the month of August / September when there is still no offer, to be able to have that window of higher prices at the beginning of the season".
According to the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa), cranberries have become a fruit of great growth in recent years, being in the seventh position of the national ranking of agricultural and forestry products exported in 2015, with shipments for USD 509 million.
This figure places Chile in the first place of blueberry exporters worldwide, although shipments decreased by 3,2% with respect to 2014. However, in the last ten years the Chilean blueberries have had a growth in exports of 288%, at an average annual rate of 16,3%.
When analyzing the main markets of the Chilean blueberries, it is seen that the United States covers an 60% of the total shipments, while China is in fourth place, with an 8%, equivalent to USD 37,3 million. It is important to note that despite the large volume exported to the United States, China pays a higher value, with USD 6,1 average FOB per ton in 2015.
In terms of prices, during 2015 an average FOB of USD 5,75 per kilogram was obtained, which means an 4% more than what was obtained in 2014.
When evaluating the evolution of the surface of blueberries planted in Chile between 2005 and 2015, it shows a growth of 969%, going from 1.361 hectares in 2005 to 14.544 hectares in 2015, that is, an average growth at an annual rate of 27% .
Source: Source: Agrimundo - NeaRural
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