Peruvian blueberries set to break more export records

The Peruvian association of blueberry producers and exporters projects that exports will exceed 250.000 tons at the end of the 2022/23 season

11/08/2022

The current Peruvian blueberry season is off to a strong start with industry body Proarándanos predicting that export records will fall again.

The Peruvian Association of Blueberry Producers and Exporters said more than 10.000 tonnes have been exported from the start of the season in May to the end of July, surpassing the start of last season.

Luis Miguel Vegas, manager of Proarandanos, said that if this trend continues throughout the 2022/23 season, the industry would break export records for the second consecutive season.

"If the campaign continues in this way, we estimate to exceed 250.000 tons at the end of it," Vegas said.

“This would represent a growth of more than 25 percent compared to last season. We also estimate that 90 percent would be exported between August and December, and 50 percent between September and October."

During the first three months of the 2022/23 season, China has been the main export destination with 3906 tons or 37% of exports. This is followed by the US, which accounts for 34% of exports at 3649 tonnes, and then Europe (excluding the UK) at 13%, at 1394 tonnes.

Vegas said the expansion of the blueberry industry is having a significant impact on producing regions.

“The blueberry industry has a significant impact on job creation. In the 2021/22 campaign, it has created 120.000 direct jobs in rural areas, planning to generate more jobs this campaign. Added to this, it is an inclusive sector in which 52 percent of the workforce are women between 26 and 30 years old,” said Vegas.

Gaining access to new markets has been a growth driver for the Peruvian blueberry industry. In recent years it gained access to Taiwan (2020). India and Malaysia (2021) and Israel (2022).

Peru is currently in the process of accessing other markets such as Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, New Zealand and Ecuador.

Despite this progress, the industry still faces logistical challenges and the rising costs of shipping and agricultural inputs.