According to the latest report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri), in 2018 Peru produced 94,805 tons of blueberry, i.e. 796% more than in 2015 and 81% more than in 2017. Despite the growth in production, the national average price at origin decreased. In 2017 producers sold their blueberries at the farms for 11.3 Soles per kilogram, while in 2018, the price fell to 7 Soles per kilogram.
Between 2015 and 2018, the area devoted to blueberry production increased by 419%, going from 1,158 hectares to 6,011 hectares.
The yields have also improved. In 2015, the national average yield was 9,145 kilograms per hectare. In contrast, in 2018 it reached 15,771 kilograms per hectare due to the improvement in planting and harvesting techniques.
The regions of La Libertad and Lambayeque are the ones with the highest yields. In 2018 they reached 17,104 and 15,000 kilograms per hectare, respectively. The region of Arequipa had the lowest performance.
Blueberries are produced in the regions of La Libertad, Lambayeque, Ica, Lima, Ancash, and Arequipa. Last year, the regions of La Libertad and Lambayeque accounted for 96% of the national production.
Blueberry Exports
In the last 5 years, blueberry exports have grown steadily. In 2018, the country exported 73,903 tons at FOB value of 554,948 million dollars, i.e. 72% more than in 2017.
As of October 2019, a total of 73,866 tons have been exported with an accumulated FOB value of 537,646 million dollars. Exports are expected to reach 700,000 million at the end of the year.
In 2017, according to Adex, Peru was the second biggest blueberry exporting country in the world with a 15% share of the total.
Currently, the largest producer of blueberries takes place from August to December. According to the world calendar of blueberry production, in Chile (second-largest exporter) the highest production takes place from November to March; while Spain's production (the third-largest exporter) peaks between April and May.
However, since Peru has an adequate climate for blueberry production, it could produce them between April and July to take better advantage of the production niches.
Source: gestion.pe