Julia Pinto, technical manager of the Chilean Blueberry Fruit Committee, recently provided insights into the 2023-24 blueberry season. The season was impacted by a decrease in production from Peru, creating more market space for Chile. Despite this advantage, challenges persist with exporting fruit that does not meet quality standards upon arrival at its destination. The season saw a significant volume of blueberries, with 367 million kilos shipped by week 11, amidst reduced shipments from competitors such as Peru and a 22% decrease in production from Mexico.
The total market supply, including estimates from Peru and Morocco, could reach 500 million kilos. The year-round availability of blueberries necessitates high-quality products to remain competitive. Additionally, the influence of extreme weather events, including extensive heat waves, poses challenges to production, highlighting the need for industry adaptation and reflection on these issues.
Source: blueberriesconsulting.com