According to an estimate by the Association of Exporters (ADEX), in 2020 Peru could become the world's largest blueberry exporter, surpassing Chile, which currently holds that position. In 2018, world exports of this food totaled 3.068 billion dollars and Chile was the main supplier with 647.3 million, followed by Peru with 548.1 million. However, Chile's annual growth rate between 2014 and 2018 has been 3%, while that of Peru has been 104%. At that rate of growth, Peru should become the world's leading supplier of that fruit next year.
It should be noted that, according to a report by the Peruvian newspaper Dia1, this might even happen this year, as the popular uprise in Chile is affecting export logistics, as highlighted by Luis Corvera, the general director of Fresh Fruit Peru.
Other exporting countries are Spain (383.1 million dollars), the Netherlands (323.6 million dollars), the US, Canada, Morocco, Mexico, Poland, Argentina, and South Africa.
In Peru, blueberries are produced in the regions of La Libertad, Lambayeque, Ica, Lima, and Ancash, among others. Blueberry cultivation is complex compared to other products in the agro-export basket, so producers must be trained to do it, ADEX added.
Between January and September 2019, fresh blueberry shipments totaled 341.7 million dollars, i.e. 61.2% more than in the same period last year. The main market was the US with 55% of the total, followed by the Netherlands, China, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Canada, and Spain. Brazil (+115%), Singapore (+133.8%) and Belgium (+155%) stand out for their growth. Some new markets are Japan, Ecuador, Kuwait, and Austria.
Source: elcomercio.pe