Chile's organic blueberry exports begin peak weeks
According to the latest Crop Report of the Committee of Blueberries of Chile-ASOEX, the organic blueberries began their peak period of exits, with 1.047 tons exported the week 02-2019. This is due to the increase in volume of the southern area, mainly from the region of Araucanía and Los Ríos.
To date, the Chilean industry has exported 5.456 tons of organic blueberries, a figure that shows an increase of 49% with respect to the same week of the 2017-2018 campaign.
In terms of organic blueberry destinations, North America continues to be the main destination with 73% of cumulative volumes, followed by Europe with the 25% share.
General Shipments of Chilean Blueberries
The Crop Report indicates that the outputs of the 02 week reached 9.002 tons, despite the rains and the interruption of harvesting. This week (03), on the contrary, the temperatures have increased and maximums are foreseen around the 30º C from the south central zone to the south, therefore, an increase in the rate of harvest is expected.
As for the accumulated volumes, we have to date (week 02) 66.302 tons of Chilean blueberries sent to the different destination markets of the world. This figure is 6% higher than that registered in the same period of the previous year.
In terms of destinations, shipments to Europe remain firm, with 3.064 tons shipped during that week, while North America shipped 4.873 tons and Far East 1.050 tons.
Upward trend in the Consumption of Organic Products in the US and Europe
The United States being the main Chilean blueberry market, it is important to point out that Nielsen recently delivered the results of an analysis of the consumption of organic products in US supermarkets, showing a growth in the sales of these products, an increase that exceeds growth that reflect their conventional counterparts.
Organic products, according to Nielsen vice president Brian Lechner, represent 14 percent of all dollar sales within the food department. Lechner added that growth in the organic product category is outstripping the growth of conventional products by a factor of five to seven times. "Organics are still a very strong trend compared to conventional products," he said.
The Nielsen representative added that while sales of organic products increase throughout the store, they do not yet lead the overall gains in the product department. An exception is found in the baby food area, where now the organic category accounts for more than a quarter of all sales in this area.
Regarding the organic products with greater growth within the US retail, the VP of Nielsen, indicated that leading this list are blueberries, apples, bananas, mushrooms and salads in bags, being of special attention that almost All of these products are also listed in the 10 main volumes of almost any retailer, so earnings represent significant growth in dollars.
Nielsen's data shows that organic products with premium prices vary widely from one item to another. Research shows that "conscious mothers" are not sensitive to prices, and are willing to pay whatever is necessary to buy the foods they consider healthier for their children. Millennials are also not particularly sensitive to prices. In this regard, Lechener, said that the aging of millennials, who now marry and have children, is what will keep sales of organic products on the rise. "The wave continues to grow," he said.
In Europe (EU-28), the consumption of organic also grows, but the dynamic of increase differs from one country to another. According to IFOAM EU report, from 1985 to 2016, the area of organic plantations has increased significantly, reaching 12,1 million hectares, an increase that is also repeated at the level of producers who add 295,123, and also at the level of organic processors that reach 62,652 and, of course, at the organic food market level, which has increased to € 30,7 billion in retail sales.
Sales in European retail grow at 12% annual rates. While the per capita consumption of this type of products is € 60.5.
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