📈 Peru's Blueberry Exports Surged, Outpaced All Global Competitors
Peru’s blueberry exports reached to $1,676 million by 2023, compared to Netherlands by $601 million, Spain by $509 million, Chile by $412 million, and Morocco by $317 million.
Peru’s blueberry exports grew rapidly in last decade, while Chile the top exporters until 2019, not changed.
Remarkably, while Peru, Chile, and Morocco are primarily blueberry exporters, the Netherlands imports blueberries in significant quantities, nearly matching its own export value, and Spain imported $228 million worth in 2023. The Netherlands imports blueberries from Peru, Chile, Spain, and other countries, while Spain primarily imports from Morocco.
Peru’s remarkable growth in blueberry exports is due to several factors:
1. Favorable Climate and Geography: Peru’s diverse microclimates and geographical conditions, especially in regions like La Libertad, provide ideal environments for year-round blueberry production.
2. Government and Private Sector Investment: Strong support from both the government and private sectors has driven investment in agricultural infrastructure, research, and development. This includes improvements in irrigation and access to modern farming technologies.
3. Trade Agreements: Peru has capitalized on trade agreements, such as those with the U.S. and China, to access key markets with reduced tariffs, making their blueberries more competitive globally.
4. High-Yield Varieties and Techniques: Peru adopted high-yield blueberry varieties and advanced farming techniques, including drip irrigation and soil management practices, which have boosted productivity.
5. Counter-Seasonal Production: Peru benefits from counter-seasonal blueberry production compared to major producers like the U.S. and Europe, allowing it to supply the market when demand is high, particularly during the northern hemisphere’s off-season.
6. Quality Standards and Export Focus: Peruvian producers focus on meeting international quality and safety standards, ensuring the blueberries meet the demands of premium markets like the U.S., Europe, and China.
These factors combined have driven Peru’s explosive growth in the global blueberry market.