«We have already finished the blueberry season. This year we did a similar volume to China as last year. In addition to China, we have been actively diversifying our export markets by targeting Southeast Asian countries. Virtually the entire industry has done the same; containers were scarce, the cost was high,” says Gonzalo (金龙) Matamala of Giddings Fruit Asia and China. «At the beginning of the Chilean blueberry season, prices were quite good. Supply from Peru was decreasing and prices were strong. Until around January 25, the overall blueberry market was active.”

“The week before Chinese New Year, the cherry craze broke out and blueberry prices began to drop slightly, from 120 yuan to 90 and below. Since then, the quality of the fruit has weakened and sales began to decline. From that moment until today, the market has been difficult to move. “Right now, the remaining Peruvian blueberries are fetching better prices.”

Giddings Fruit is a large importer of South American fruit, specializing in Chilean and Peruvian cherries and berries.

The berry market has started to change. Peru has extended shipments later in the season and has increased the availability of its berries. Blueberry is a fast-growing domestic crop, with investments in blueberry production throughout China. Domestic production has begun to enter the market earlier. Currently, domestic berries have been on the market for four to five weeks.

There has been an increase in production in Yunnan, where new farms are currently limited by the availability of land. Production is also moving to Chengdu and other regions further north in China, including Heilongjiang and Liaoning.

«Peru's blueberry season begins in July, with the earliest berries hitting the market in August. That's when local production starts to slow down. Chilean berries are later. Some air shipments may start in September-October, but then there is a gap until December when the season really starts with sea freight. As a result, Chile's window of opportunity is narrowing due to changes in domestic production and the extension of Peru's season.

Peru is expanding its production of berries. In addition, its fruit is firm and long-lasting when cold, which makes it available for sale longer. Peru has also planted new varieties of berries, designed to target the Chinese market.

«In China, three criteria are important: flavor, flowering and firmness. Peru's investments in its berry production have led to better flowering and firmness. The flavor has also improved significantly over the years. The difference with Peru is that part of the production is mainly to supply the Chinese market. This is unlike Chile, where much of the production is shipped to North America and Europe. "Peru is doing it with berries and Chile has done it with cherries."