According to ADEX, Peru is set to surpass Chile as the most important exporter of blueberries in the world.
Peru is already one of the top four blueberry exporters in the world, along with Canada, Chile, and Mexico. Now, the country is set to beat out Chile for the top spot in 2020, reports Andina. The annual growth rate for blueberries between 2014-18 for Chile was 3%, while Peru’s was 104%, suggesting Peru will take over.
The rise of blueberry production in Peru has been swift and successful, building production capacity from zero through investment in research and training. 10 years ago, Peru exported “samples” of the fruit valued at $240. In 2018, Peru exported a total of US $548 million. Chile, on the other hand, exported US $647 million.
Many companies have migrated to growing blueberries because of the profitability of the business. Peru’s big opportunity for sales abroad is in September and October, when production ends in the US and has yet to start in Chile and Argentina.
Peru’s main markets are the US, followed by Netherlands, China, UK, Hong Kong, Canada, and Spain. New markets for the fruit are Japan, Kuwait and Australia.
Blueberries are produced in the regions of Ica, Lima, Anchas, La Libertad and Lambayeque.
See here a brief history of blueberry production in Peru:
Source: Andina
Cover photo: Andina
