Chilean blueberry exports increase

Chile exported more than 90,000 tons of blueberries in the 2024-25 season i.e., 5% over the previous season and 12% more than estimated, breaking the downward trend of recent seasons, stated Andrés Armstrong, executive director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee.

"The most relevant fact is not the growth itself, but that it was due to the increase in the share of new varieties in the total shipments. They increased by 50% over last season and accounted for 21% of exports. This season, the adaptation work that the Chilean industry is carrying out in the face of increased competition was evident, making significant progress in renewing plantations," he stated.

Chile exported 60,000 tons of frozen blueberries. This volume was within the forecast and accounted for 40% of all blueberry exports. "Thus, including fresh and frozen blueberries, the country exported a total of 150,000 tons of blueberries, 15% more than last season and 8% more than estimated," Armstrong stated.

"It was a difficult year, not only because of greater competition and the pressure that generates on prices, but also because there were serious logistics complications," he added.

According to Armstrong, the services were overwhelmed by the large volume of fruit from Chile (cherries and blueberries) and Peru (blueberries), which caused significant delays in inspections and some cargo not being shipped on the scheduled date and vessel. In addition, there was a lack of shipping services and containers in adequate conditions, as well as controlled atmospheres (CA).

Some tidal events affected vessel departures for some weeks, and there were reschedulings due to the strikes on the US eastern coast ports.

This season, the Chilean supply found greater competition than last season in all markets, especially from Peru, which returned to a more normal shipping situation after being severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon last year.

Shipments to Europe increased by 12% over the previous season and accounted for 43% of the total, the same share as the US. Exports to the US remained stable, as did shipments to Asia, where shipments to South Korea increased and shipments to China declined.

"Latin America experienced the biggest growth with 111% more volume and a 1.6% share of all exports. Argentina and Brazil were the main Latin American markets. Shipments to the Middle East increased by 11%, accounting for 0.4% of the total," the executive stated.