The supply of blueberries is plentiful in Canada though that may change soon. "In the coming weeks, the market will get a little bit tighter because I see volumes from Peru definitely dropping. So that will change things," says Steve Galloway at TK Fresh Produce.
Right now the supply is ample given the number of growing regions producing and shipping blueberries into Canada. This includes Peru, Mexico, and Chile–which has just begun shipping and is doing so slightly earlier this season–along with Argentina and Morocco. "Peru in particular has been putting out a lot of fruit lately," he adds.
As for demand, it's steady. However, inconsistencies in end pricing are a concern. "Some are aggressive with pricing at retail and some are not," says Galloway. "It doesn't matter what the flood is. If you want to sell blueberries at $3.99 when they cost $1.50 I'm not sure how much you're going to sell."
What is also factoring into pricing is the weak Canadian dollar. "It really hurts at the retail end and makes retailers charge more," he says. "A box of blueberries in the U.S. at $24.00 equals $34.00 Canadian. Forcing higher retails in the stores, in turn, slows movement."
"I see blueberry volumes from Peru definitely dropping. So that will change things," says Steve Galloway at TK Fresh Produce.
Pricing different than 2023
Pricing right now is not as strong as it was last year at this time when the supply was much lower–in 2023 for example, Peru had production that was down by as much as 50 percent. While pricing could come up somewhat in the weeks ahead, it's also quality-dependent. "Chile is behind Peru variety-wise. Many haven't planted the newer varieties so if the quality coming in is a bit poorer, then the market will crash again," says Galloway.
For more information:
Steve Galloway
TK Fresh Produce
Tel: +1 (905) 677-2885 Ext. 312
https://tkfresh.ca/