EU and US blueberry market prices fell in the middle of greater Peruvian volumes
Prices of blueberries in the United States and Europe fell sharply in the last months of 2018 amid a significant increase in Peruvian exports this season.
Peruvian exports of blueberries from November were 60% higher year-over-year reaching 54.500 metric tons (MT), according to data from PromPeru. From Chile, the total volumes up to December were the same as last season, with 46.600MT, according to the Chilean Blueberry Committee, while in Argentina, in the same period, an 8% was reduced to 14.800MT, according to the Cranberry Committee of Argentina.
Meanwhile, average prices at importer level in the US for a box of 12x6oz fruit from the southern hemisphere increased an additional 19% in October to USD 27,50, according to data from USDA AMS.
However, since then they have fallen well below last year's levels, registering a lower 24% in November, a lower 31% in December and a lower 32% in this year's 1 week. The situation was very similar for the prices of Mexican blueberries in the same size format.
In the Atlantic, blueberry prices in the wholesale market for a 12 × 4.4oz box in the Dutch center of Rotterdam also rose 18% in October to USD 22,74, but then fell 4% less year-on-year in November and 26% less in December.
With regard to exports of blueberries from the southern hemisphere to specific markets, Peru has sent a greater proportion of fruit to the US market this year and a lower proportion to the EU, while the situation is the reverse for Chile and Argentina.
Peru has exported the 51% of its fruit to the United States compared to 44% last year, while the Netherlands has been sent the 22% compared to the 26%. The 9% was sent to the United Kingdom, just like last year.
Chile, on the other hand, has sent an 55% to the US. and Canada, compared to 59% last year, and 30% to Europe compared to 25% last year.
Argentina sent the 61% of its fruit to the United States, compared to the 63% of the previous campaign, and the 20% to Europe, compared to the 18%.
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