During the 34th International Blueberries Seminar at the Lima Convention Center, Jessica Mesina, Operations Manager for South America and Co-Founder of FruAction, addressed "Perspectives of Frozen Blueberries in Peru: Strategies to Boost Growth and Satisfy Global Demand." Mesina reviewed global market data, trends, and opportunities to enhance the segment's presence.
Frozen blueberries have gained traction in global trade due to their year-round availability and demand fueled by dietary shifts. This demand has led to the development of production and export systems focused on quality and supply chain efficiency.
Mesina compared the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, noting Peru's role in fresh blueberry exports and its potential in the frozen segment. China has shown the most growth in the production area, while the United States and Chile experienced some variation.
Globally, frozen blueberry production is on an upward trend, with China and the United States as major producers. In South America, Chile accounts for 74% of processed blueberry production, and Peru represents 19% in the frozen category. Mesina suggested Peru could expand its participation based on its existing infrastructure.
Mesina highlighted trade agreements and price stability, emphasizing strategic contracts for predictable income. She also stressed the need to meet sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, comply with quality standards, and obtain food safety certifications for export markets.
Innovation in storage and transport was discussed, particularly Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), which preserves fruit texture and quality, enhancing cold chain efficiency and extending shelf life. Technological integration in processing lines and packaging methods was noted for supporting distribution without compromising quality.
A panel titled "Production Challenges by Production Region, Phytosanitary Control Strategies, Variety Evaluation, Market Opportunities" included Jorge Esquivel, Walter Apaza Tapia, Juan Valdivia, Luis Rodríguez, Gonzalo Carlazara, and Juan Pablo Bentín. Apaza presented strategies for maximizing blueberry production and highlighted challenges. Panelists discussed regional production differences, difficulties in the 2024–2025 season, and strategies to address them. Carlazara mentioned climate disparity in the north, while Bentín explained high temperatures in southern areas like Pisco require stress management approaches.
Rodríguez noted water access concerns in Olmos, emphasizing industry-wide solutions. Panelists agreed that productivity and fruit quality are key in variety selection. Valdivia explained the variety of choices is market-specific.
Carlazara pointed to the need for a structured production system for continuous supply. Bentín noted rapid production growth should be supported by operational efficiency, addressing labor shortages. Valdivia emphasized competitive varieties in maintaining Peru's global market role.
Source: Blueberries Consulting