Over the past five years, the dynamics of the global blueberry export market have undergone notable changes, particularly among countries ranked outside the top ten exporters. Zimbabwe, for instance, has emerged as a key player, ascending to the 13th position in global blueberry exports with an impressive average annual growth rate of 48%. Each year, the country has increased its blueberry exports by approximately 1.3 thousand tons.
2023 saw Georgia outpacing Zimbabwe in terms of relative growth rates, boasting an average annual increase of 55% in blueberry exports from 2019 to 2023. This surge enabled Georgia to enter the top 20 list of blueberry exporters for the first time, surpassing nations like Italy and China with a 2.5-fold increase in exports, equivalent to 2 thousand tons.
Ukraine also demonstrated substantial growth, ranking third among the fastest-growing blueberry exporters with a 21% annual increase. Despite geopolitical challenges, Ukraine's blueberry exports saw a notable rise in 2022 and 2023.
China marked its entry into the top 20 blueberry exporters in 2023, reflecting its expanding blueberry cultivation and export capacity. Conversely, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand experienced a decline in their export volumes over the five-year period.
Peru continues to dominate the global blueberry export market, with an average annual growth rate of 14.5%, significantly outpacing its closest competitors. EastFruit analysts highlight Peru's substantial contribution to the net international trade of fresh blueberries, holding a 30-32% share from 2019 to 2023.
Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the FAO, commented on the market's potential, stating, "The average annual growth rate of international blueberry trade was about 10%, or 60 thousand tons per year, from 2019 to 2023, despite challenges such as complex and expensive logistics and deglobalization." He emphasized the increasing accessibility and consumption of blueberries, driven by declining prices and the fruit's presence in various products, predicting continued growth in both production and international trade.
Source: East Fruit