In the 2025/26 season, the map of Peruvian blueberry varieties confirms a trend the sector has been observing for several seasons: Biloxi is no longer the dominant variety in terms of planted area, but rather Ventura and Sekoya Pop. These two varieties now lead the ranking of planted hectares, followed by a group of varieties such as Biloxi, Magica, Rocio, and Emerald, which complete the core of the portfolio. This shift is not just a matter of names, but a response to an industry that demands greater firmness, better flavor, and more stable logistics.

This shift in the varietal mix didn't happen overnight. From 2016 onward, the trend shows a gradual decline in the relative share of Biloxi and sustained growth for Ventura and, more recently, Sekoya Pop. The new varieties have been selected for their ability to combine productivity with superior organoleptic attributes: crisp texture, high Brix levels, and extended post-harvest life. This translates into a lower risk of softening and dehydration, two of the problems that most severely impact returns in distant markets.

Today, the top varieties account for the vast majority of hectares under production, giving the country a more homogeneous base for developing export programs tailored to specific markets and destinations. However, this also necessitates more meticulous agronomic and post-harvest management: by concentrating on a few varieties, any phytosanitary or climate adaptation issues can significantly impact the business. Therefore, many companies complement Ventura and Sekoya Pop with a "second tier" of varieties to diversify risk.

From Biloxi to Ventura: a decade of change

Looking at the evolution since 2016, the data tells a clear story: Biloxi was the backbone of the Peruvian blueberry's initial takeoff, but its share of the mix has declined as more competitive varieties have been introduced. Its main weakness lies in its firmness and post-harvest life compared to current demands of longer transport times, increased shelf life, and consumers less tolerant of texture issues. Biloxi is still present, but it is no longer the "star" variety; its role is being redefined in specific niches and in fields where the transition is still underway.

Ventura, on the other hand, embodies the new generation of varietal decisions. Its increase in planted area is due to a combination of factors: good productivity, attractive size for retailers, and, above all, better performance in terms of condition at the destination. In markets that pay for sensory experience—not just volume—Ventura offers a well-balanced relationship between field performance and consistency throughout the logistics chain. This balance is what has led it to lead the ranking of hectares, with a share of nearly one-fifth of the national planted area.

Sekoya Pop represents the latest trend in this shift. Although it started with modest figures, in recent seasons it has experienced rapid growth in acreage, driven by programs that value its crisp texture, intense flavors, and excellent condition after long journeys. Its presence is still smaller than that of Ventura, but the growth rate suggests it will continue to gain ground, especially in technologically advanced farms focused on premium markets. The challenge will be managing its specific agronomic characteristics and ensuring that the leap in perceived quality translates into better, sustained returns.

What are the programs looking for in the United States and Europe?

The United States remains the primary destination for Peruvian blueberries, and its demand has driven much of the varietal renewal. Programs targeting this market prioritize firmness, bruising resistance, cold stability, and sizes that perform well in the most common clamshell formats. Varieties like Ventura and Sekoya Pop meet these requirements better than older varieties such as Biloxi, allowing for a reduction in claims, destination discounts, and shelf losses. In practice, many companies have been aligning their field planning with the specifications of North American retailers.

In Europe, the focus is even more on the complete sensory experience. In addition to firmness, European consumers value a sweet, balanced, and consistent flavor, along with an attractive appearance: even bloom, absence of defects, and uniform size. The varietal mix has been adjusted to meet these standards, with Ventura, Sekoya Pop, and other emerging varieties gaining ground in specific supermarket programs that pay a premium for quality. Certifications (environmental, social, zero waste, or low waste) also influence which materials are prioritized in certain markets.

In both markets, varietal replacement translates into constant pressure on harvest and post-harvest management. Companies must adjust planting dates, field practices, and cold storage protocols to exploit the potential of new varieties without sacrificing productivity. Varietal selection is no longer just an agronomic issue, but a matter of commercial strategy: each variety must be well-suited to the requirements of its target market.

China and premium markets: size, crunch and post-harvest life

China has established itself as a key destination for Peruvian blueberries, but with a different approach than the United States and Europe. The Chinese market favors large or extra-large fruit with a very crisp texture, pronounced bloom, and impeccable visual presentation. In this context, the varietal mix has incorporated materials capable of withstanding long voyages in shipping containers, resisting additional handling, and reaching consumers who primarily judge by appearance.

Varieties like Sekoya Pop and other new-generation materials find a natural niche in China to capitalize on their advantages in firmness and post-harvest life. The ability to deliver fruit that maintains its crispness after weeks in transit is a decisive factor for the profitability of these programs. Therefore, exporters targeting this market tend to concentrate their best production there, employing specific management practices in pruning, fruit loading, and selective harvesting.

At the same time, the varietal adjustments for China necessitate a more sophisticated portfolio segmentation. Not all varieties are suitable for every market: some perform better during specific windows to Europe, others are a better fit for the North American growing season, and a smaller group is designed for the extreme demands of premium Asian markets. The challenge for Peru will be to continue refining this segmentation, avoiding over-reliance on a few varieties and ensuring that the replacement process maintains a balance between productivity, quality, and resilience to climate change.