In a record year for volumes with market challenges such as the weak euro, importer investigations in China and U.S. port strikes, Chile's blueberry growers still managed to lift export values for the 2014-15 season.

Statistics from the country's Office of Agricultural Research and Policy (ODEPA) show volume grew 24% year-on-year to reach 91,430 metric tons (MT), although the average FOB (freight on board) price was down 17% at US$5.28 per kilogram.

This equated to a total value of US$483 million, representing a 3% rise on the previous campaign.

The volume is only slightly different to a figure released by the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) on Wednesday, which announced a 22% hike to 91,000MT.

ASOEX and the Chilean Blueberry Committee said it was difficult to provide etimates about export value and prices, highlighting the reality of each grower was different depending on their geography, varieties grown and destination markets.

Committee executive director Andres Armstrong told www.freshfruitportal.com that several issues in markets meant the usual price recovery that occurred in markets toward the season's end did not take place this year.

In the release, ASOEX said once the season's end was anticipated, a favorable climate in the southern regions allowed for a greater amount of fruit than normal in condition for fresh export.

"Clearly this season had fewer surprises than the previous season, and the increase in volume allowed us to better supply our destination markets, and to definitely have a more positive season," Armstrong said, adding the record volume was 5% higher than the figure achieved in 2012-13.

"However, at the end of the season we had some situations that were not in our favor. The contraction of the Chinese economy and the situation of some importers who faced judicial issues, created a less favorable environment to trade our fruit, together with a large supply of other fruit types in that market affecting demand.

"In the case of Europe, the situation with the euro exchange rate also impacted our supply toward the middle of the campaign. Finally in the United States, port strikes on the West Coast and a lower demand because of weather issues, strongly affected our results in the last weeks in that market."

ASOEX highlighted that North America received more than two thirds of Chile's blueberry exports, while shipments grew to Europe and Asia with participation rates of 23% and 10% respectively.

In terms of growth, Asia received 40% more Chilean blueberries while Europe increased its volume purchases by 27%. Meanwhile, exports to the U.S. and Canada grew by 20%.

"This growth in Asia is explained by a large increase in shipments to China  by more than 45%, and to South Korea by more than 49%," said ASOEX president Ronald Bown.

"This all reflects the efforts of the Chilean industry to develop postharvest technologies that allow the fruit to arrive in good condition and with good quality."

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