2021/22 Peruvian Blueberry Exports Soared 30%, Prices Highest in China

At the tail end of the Peruvian blueberry season, the export volume was set to be more than 30% higher compared with last season and China was once again the market where exporters fetched the highest prices, according to a report from the Peruvian consultancy firm Fresh Fruit.

As of the first week of May, the total export volume and export value of Peruvian blueberries for the 2021/22 season were 219,706 tons and $1.31 billion, corresponding to year-on-year increases of 32% and 28%, respectively. Meanwhile, the average export price was $5.96 per kilogram, down 3% from the previous season.

Peru accounts for 25% of total global blueberry exports, followed by Chile, which exported approximately 107,187 tons in the 2021/22 season. Chile’s export value was $564 million, approximately 43% that of Peru.

Peruvian blueberries were exported to 36 markets around the world this season, with the top three export destinations being the United States (55% of total export volume), the Netherlands (23%) and China (12%).

Peru’s blueberry exports to China amounted to 27,074 tons valued at $173 million, up 62% and 47%, respectively, from the previous season. The average price of Peruvian blueberries sent to China was $6.38 per kilogram. Although this figure represents a decrease of approximately 10% with respect to the $7.06 per kilogram reported during the 2020/21 season, it still ranks China as the export destination that paid the highest price for Peruvian blueberries.

China has become one of the most attractive export destinations for the Peruvian blueberry industry because of not only the high prices but also the growing market demand. The Chinese companies that imported the most Peruvian blueberries this season were Zhejiang Oheng Import & Export Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hui Zhan International, each accounting for 24% of the total import volume, and Camposol Foods Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd., which accounted for 19%. The Peruvian companies that exported the most blueberries to China were Agrovisión Perú S.A.C. (30%), Camposol S.A. (24%) and Larama Berries S.A.C. (14%).

Meanwhile, Peru exported 121,798 tons of blueberries valued at $717 million to the United States, up 32% and 28%, respectively, from the previous season. The average price of Peruvian blueberries in the U.S. market was $5.89 per kilogram, down 3% from the previous season’s $6.08 per kilogram.

In addition, Peru exported 50,871 tons of blueberries valued at $300 million to the Netherlands, up 15% and 18%, respectively, from the previous season. The average price of Peruvian blueberries in the European market was $5.90 per kilogram, corresponding to an increase of 2% from the previous season’s $5.77 per kilogram.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.