The 2024/2025 Peruvian blueberry season ended in April with more than 318,000 tons exported. This marked a recovery from the previous campaign, which was affected by adverse weather conditions. Although the results were positive, the sector is facing new challenges that will require its commercial and logistics strategy to undergo structural adjustments.
"It has been a good season, with good volumes and good prices for most of the year. However, we suffered great logistical stress," said Luis Miguel Vegas, general manager of ProArándanos, an association representing the sector's main producers and exporters. He explained that more than 60% of the fruit was exported in the last quarter of the year, putting pressure on prices, logistics, and storage facilities. "Such a concentration of the supply is a major challenge, both from a commercial and a logistical point of view," he said.
Vegas also said that during this period, ports such as Callao and Philadelphia have suffered significant congestion issues, and there have also been delays in the Panama Canal, exacerbated by the overlap with other export campaigns, such as that of grapes. Given this scenario, the association forecasts 20% growth in the next campaign, something that would make it necessary to take measures in advance.
Against this backdrop, the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PromPerú) has launched an active strategy to promote the international distribution of Peruvian blueberries. It is doing so in close cooperation with trade associations and companies in the sector. The initiative aims at diversifying markets, decongesting the logistics at certain periods, and strengthening the product's presence in destinations with high growth potential.
The list of initiatives includes the organization of trade missions and taking part in key trade fairs that can facilitate the opening of new markets and expand the supply. Such was the case with Peru's recent participation in CPMA 2025, a trade fair organized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association in Montreal from April 8 to 11.
The trade mission, led by PromPerú with the support of the Commercial Office of Peru in Toronto, brought together eleven fresh food exporters, including major blueberry producers. The agenda included business meetings with Canadian importers, networking sessions with retail buyers, and visits to local supermarkets to check the positioning of Peruvian products on the shelves.
"The event was rated as highly satisfactory by organizers and participating companies. Sales worth over USD 12.9 million were secured, and business prospects worth USD 11.8 million were generated. These figures reflect the growing interest of the Canadian market in our products," said PromPerú.
The United States currently accounts for 55% of Peruvian blueberry exports. Next in the ranking of major destinations we have the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and China. In this context, Vegas stressed that "it is important to diversify our destinations, logistics, and production window. We shouldn't be so dependent on the port of Callao, or on a single market such as the United States."
In addition to Canada, PromPerú also seeks to strengthen Peru's presence at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, Fruit Attraction in Spain, and trade missions to strategic markets such as Japan, Belgium, and Poland. The Sequoia variety, appreciated in China for its post-harvest shelf life, is being actively promoted in these destinations, alongside the traditional Ventura and Biloxi varieties. Organic blueberries accounted for 10% of the volume exported this season, which highlights the country's commitment to sustainable practices.
"The tariff issue in the United States has been distracting us from the main challenges. We should be concerned with increasing consumption and preventing the logistical issues," said Vegas. "Imposing tariffs won't help encourage consumption." For this reason, both the public and private sectors are committed to strengthening international promotion, genetic innovation, and operational efficiency.
The campaigns promoted by PromPerú align with this shared vision. "The future is in our hands," concluded the representative of ProArándanos.
For more information:
PromPerú
Tel.: +51 979 367 355
[email protected]