According to data from the Association of Exporters of Peru (ADEX), Peruvian blueberry exports fell by 48% in the first half of the year compared to the same period of 2019, totaling 44.8 million dollars. This setback comes after two years of high growth, in which shipments from Peru increased by 260% and 93% between the months of January and June 2018 and 2019, respectively.
According to ADEX, the drop in exports was due to the effects of COVID-19, low prices, and Mexico's competition. The United States, the main market for Peruvian blueberries, imported significantly higher volumes of blueberries from Mexico, which can offer much lower prices due to their proximity. According to ADEX, in the first five months of the year, Mexico sent blueberries to the US market for $ 242.9 million.
Main markets
In the first half of the year, Peruvian blueberry exports to the United States totaled $ 25.2 million, accounting for 56% of all blueberry exports, but a 58% reduction compared to 2019.
The Netherlands was the second destination market with a 30% increase in exports worth 13.3 million dollars.
The remaining top five markets were China, the United Kingdom, and Brazil; the value of exports to these markets fell by 10%, 75%, and 17%, respectively.
Source: gestion.pe