Global Market Blueberries

The global blueberry market is characterized by what exporters and imports call persistently high prices, high demand and with some seeing lower but improving quality arriving compared to other seasons. Overall there is less fruit available from the world’s major blueberry producer, Peru, or from their South American counterpart countries of Mexico and Chile. This is mainly due to the climatic challenges that continued into the New Year.

The European markets of the Netherlands, Italy and Central to Eastern Europe are all seeing very high prices, while alternative sources, such as South Africa, were sought over the Christmas and New Year period. However, that country struggled to fully capitalise on this trend due to port inefficiencies and having to turn to the more expensive airfreight to meet the spike in demand.

North America is seeing increased supplies with above average pricing for blueberries. Portugal expects to have one of the best seasons so far. Morocco, which has managed to harvest despite challenging weather, will see peak volumes by the end of January.

Peru: Volumes remain down, Peruvian producers with, especially, traditional blueberry varieties continue to be short, with the latest statistics up to week 50 of 2023, showing a 43% reduction in volumes to Europe for the 2023/24 season compared to the previous season. An exporter said they are seeing: “high prices and high demand with lower quality than in previous seasons.” Producers with old varieties are said to be struggling more, while those with newer varieties have seen a better response to the drier climatic conditions.

Chile: Lower volumes, but able to supply to meet demand, According to Chile’s Blueberry Committee peak shipment volumes were in the last weeks of December between Christmas and New Year. “Higher temperatures in the last two weeks of the recently ended year triggered faster ripening in those orchards that were close to harvest and this was felt in the greater output volume. Weeks 51 and 52 combined produced 20,507 tons, slightly more than was expected. This means an accumulated season volume of 33,888 tons until the last week of 2023, which was 31% less than last season,” states the committee.

Netherlands: Blueberry prices remain persistently high, For several months now, blueberry prices have consistently remained elevated. "Peru is delivering good quality, but prices are persistently high, and there is only a limited supply available. The lingering effects of El Ni?o will continue to impact Peruvian production this year.

Italy: Consumers buying 4% more blueberries, Currently, most of the blueberries consumed in Italy come from Peru and Chile. This was confirmed by a retail buyer responsible for around 200 shops in central Italy. The 125-gram tray is the most popular, but in the summer 250-gram trays are also sold. A buyer said they purchase the product at prices between €1.50 and €1.70 per 125 gram tray. This is considered normal pricing. At the moment, the prevailing price for Peruvian blueberries in wholesale markets in northern Italy is €16.50.

Germany: Last shipments from South Africa and first large quantities from Chile in week 3, A berry trader from South Germany is expecting the last shipments from South Africa in calendar week 3, while the first main quantities from Chile will arrive during the same time. However, Chile is about two weeks late. Calendar weeks 4 to 7 will also see the first commercials with large formats. The price has remained constant to date and has also been at a high level over a long period of time. The prices in the last few weeks were probably that high because quantities from Peru were lacking.

Portugal: Expects to have one of the best seasons so far,The Portuguese blueberry harvest is planned to start in week 3 and one exporter is aiming at around 1600 tons of blueberries in 2024. There is a very strong demand, impacted not just by the lack of volume from Chile/Peru, but also from the fact that demand hasn’t stopped increasing over the past couple of years. So far, a slight increase in prices has been noted, which has to do with both the lower volumes from Peru and Chile, but also inflation in general.

South Africa: Big demand from Europe, not fully able to capitalise, Europe was paying top dollar prices for blueberries during the latter part of 2023, an exporter observes, and South Africa stood ready to capitalize on an empty blueberry market.

Exporters could barely satisfy the demand, as exportable volumes were down on last year. Unseasonal rains had caused quality issues, and on the domestic market blueberries were sold at prices unimaginable five years ago. Delays at South African ports stuck a spoke in the wheels at times and almost half of exported blueberries were air-freighted..

Spain: Delay in the start of the Spanish campaign, In Huelva the blueberry campaign is behind schedule, as is the case with strawberries. “This year our forecast is that it will be a good year for blueberries, similar to last year, with good prices even though production was not very high. The only thing we hope is that the varieties arrive on time so that production does not come together and we can avoid pressure on supply, although it is still too early to know what will happen.”

"However, having our campaign delayed a little is going to be very good for us, because Peru has entered later this year and this will prevent us from entering the market competing directly with them," says an operator in the sector.

North America: Blueberry supply picking up, Blueberry supply is improving although it is still tight because the Chilean crop overall is down between 20-30 percent. Production out of Chile started slow but is picking up now.

Supply of Chilean blueberries were received in North America earlier this year because shippers were trying to catch a good market, one that was very good at the beginning of December. However, while the quality wasn’t as strong then, it’s improving now. Shipments should continue into March though peak supply will begin at the beginning of February.

All of this is leaving pricing above average. The market will likely come down a bit but it’s fairly stable and anticipated to stay that way through the season.

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