According to a recent report by blueberriesconsulting.com, since June, the export volume of Peruvian blueberries has increased significantly compared with previous seasons. In the United States, its main blueberry export destination, in addition to competing with local production, Peruvian blueberries must also deal with blueberry supplies from Canada, Mexico and Chile. If imports of Peruvian blueberries are restricted in the United States, the Asian market is becoming an excellent destination for their blueberries.
The local blueberry production in the United States will increase by 30% to over 150,000 tons. On the other hand, the blueberry production in Mexico is estimated to increase by at least 25%. So far, the most expensive blueberries are the American blueberries and Mexican imported blueberries. Their prices are 16% higher than Peruvian blueberries, but they are still far below the 2019 prices. This price drop is due to an oversupply of blueberries in Peru and the United States protecting local growers. Europe is similar to the United States in that both import blueberries but also have important blueberry producing areas. Therefore, if local producers put pressure on the authorities to impose export restrictions on blueberries, Europe may follow the same path as the US market.
So far, the Peruvian blueberry industry has increased its blueberry transport to Europe by more than 100% this season, and its export value has increased by more than 50%. This is because there are no price discounts for local blueberries in Europe. The high temperature and heat wave encountered by local producers in continental Europe in summer has caused many problems for blueberry cultivation. It is estimated that some production areas have lost up to 70% of their production.
Although the local blueberry producers in China have seen good production conditions this season, the supply of Peruvian blueberries to China has increased by nearly 30% compared with the previous year, and their profits have also increased. Therefore, strategically speaking, for the Peruvian industry, if the United States issues blueberry import restrictions, the Asian market will become an excellent destination for its blueberry exports. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 99% of blueberries imported by China come from Peru and Chile due to factors such as the free trade agreement and anti-seasonal supply.
China's blueberry consumer market is expanding in an all-round way. Experts predict that China's blueberry production will reach 1 million tons within five years, far exceeding the United States and becoming the world's largest blueberry producer, and may become the largest market for the global blueberry industry.