One of the positive results of the El Niño crisis in Peruvian production was the good performance of the new varieties in the face of these critical climatic episodes. The vast majority withstood the stress of high temperatures that the crops had to face very well and showed a productive performance with good results, unlike the old varieties, such as Biloxi or Ventura, which saw their productive yields greatly reduced, although all or almost all of them were slowed down in their productive process by the effects of high temperatures and their impact on plant photosynthesis.

varietal replacement

Less than a decade ago, in 2016, Peru had 13 different blueberry varieties. Biloxi accounted for almost 60% of the total blueberry plantations in that country and over time it has been the Ventura variety that has positioned itself as the dominant one, although the varietal replacement is so fast that all the old varieties will be part of the past.

Currently, there are around 65 different varieties of blueberries in Peru. Biloxi and Ventura account for 47%, while the remaining 53% is occupied by varieties such as Sekoya Pop, Rocío, Emerald, Atlasblue, Eureka, Scintilla, Mágica, Stella Blue, Kirra, Terrapin, Jupiterblue, Bella, Kestrel, Springhigh, Bonita, Snowchaser, Sekoya Beauty, Magnifica, First Blush, Salvador, Eureka Sunrise, Arana, Biancablue, Stellar, Jewel, among others.

The varietal replacement in the Peruvian industry was implemented early and from 2023 we see a slowdown in the pace of planting new hectares, although the productive yields of the new varieties ensure the continuation of Peruvian growth, both in terms of kilos and quality of fruit.

The Peruvian Association of Blueberry Exporters, Proarándanos, has published export data on Peruvian blueberries up to week 48 of the 2024-25 season, detailing volumes and varieties by destination. The data reveal that, despite the emergence of new genetics, the Ventura variety remains the preference of consumers in different markets around the world.

Venture in the US market

Historically, the Peruvian industry has sent the majority of its blueberry production to North American markets, and especially to the US, favoring them over other, more distant destinations. In the current 2024/2025 season, Peruvian producers have sent 129.824 tons to the United States market, which is equivalent to 62% more than last season's shipments.

Of these almost 130 thousand tons sent to the United States market, 27% corresponds to the Ventura variety, followed by Biloxi (16%); Sekoya Pop (13%); Rocío (10%); Sekoya Beauty (5%); and a remaining 29% of other genetic varieties distributed in very smaller percentages.

Venture in Europe

The Netherlands is the country of entry for Peruvian blueberries into the European market and both the ports of Amsterdam and Vlissingen have been the main gateways, with 72% and 19% respectively.

Peruvian blueberry shipments up to week 48 totaled 60.709 tons, which is 75% more than the previous campaign. Of these totals, 96% were sent via sea transport and only 4% were sent via air transport.

The demand for Peruvian blueberries in the European market was mainly focused on the Ventura variety, with 50% of the total shipments of the Peruvian industry. Biloxi is far behind, with 15%; Sekoya Pop, with 8%; Sekoya Beauty (4%); Rocío (3%); and 20% distributed among other varieties.

Venture in China

Peruvian blueberry shipments to the Chinese market in the current 2024/2025 season have not only grown in volume compared to the previous campaign, but the Ventura variety is also preferred by Chinese consumers, although slightly behind Sekoya Pop, which represents the emergence of new genetics.

Up to week 48, Peruvian shipments of fresh blueberries to the Chinese market amounted to 33.363 tons, equivalent to 59% of the amount shipped in the previous campaign.

Of these volumes, 24% correspond to shipments with Sekoya Pop and 20% to those with the Ventura variety. Next in line are the Mágica variety, with 19%; Biloxi, with 10%; Sekoya Beauty (7%); and the remaining 20% ​​with different varieties.

Ventura in the United Kingdom

Peruvian blueberry shipments to the UK market grew by 33%, reaching 11.919 for week 48. Of these volumes, 27% corresponds to fruit of the Ventura variety; 20% to the Rocío variety; Sekoya Pop (15%); Biloxi (6%); Eureka Sunrise (6%); and 25% corresponds to other varieties.

Ventura in other destinations

As part of the market diversification strategy for Peruvian fruit, 9.800 tons have been sent to other destinations, increasing by 60% the amount achieved in the previous campaign.

Of these figures, 16% corresponds to the Ventura variety; Arana (12%); Emerald (12%); Sekoya Pop (12%); Biloxi (11%); and the remaining 37% is divided into several different varieties.

Ventura

The Ventura variety belongs to the genetics Southern Highbush, They have a lower winter chill requirement and greater heat tolerance. They generally show low vigour and high mortality, making them difficult to grow. They are medium-sized and are oriented towards the fresh market with manual harvesting. These cultivars have been developed from interspecific hybridisation between the Alto blueberry (V. corymbosum) and two species native to southeastern North America: an evergreen blueberry (V. darrowi) and the rabbiteye blueberry (V. ashei). These hybrid varieties require between 200 and 600 hours under 7 ºC. Ventura is the first release of Southern highbush from the Fall Creek Genetic Improvement Program. It is a vigorous upright plant and has produced high yields of early maturing fruit.