Peru evens out blueberry season as exports near 360,000 tons
Read this article in Spanish | Writing and reporting by Macarena Bravo.
Peru’s blueberry season is spreading its wings this year, trading the usual sharp peaks for a smoother, steadier flow. Exports are on track to reach 360,000 tonnes, with shipments holding relatively consistent week to week. The strategy aims to ease logistical pressures, reduce market saturation, and provide a more stable supply to buyers across the globe.
The South American powerhouse entered the blueberry market in 2015 and has since risen to the top of the export podium with record sales that surpassed $2.27 billion last year. In 2019, Peru officially became the world's top blueberry exporter.
Proarándanos General Manager tells FreshFruitPortal.com that as of week 45, more than 250,000 tons had already been shipped. This represents a 25 percent increase over the same period last year.
Varietal strategy
While initial projections put 2025's volumes at 400,000 tons, Proarándanos is now estimating volumes to be approximately 7 percent lower, reaching 360,000 tons. This reduction, Vegas explains, stems from erratic weather episodes affecting certain varieties, despite no extreme climatic events.
Despite the slight dip, Vegas notes that the even distribution of volume supports smoother logistics and operational efficiency, particularly as the blueberry peak coincides with the table grape season, sharing port and operational resources.
“This behavior is very healthy, as it avoids logistical bottlenecks, reduces pressure on the operational chain and brings greater stability to the markets, reducing the risk of saturation and facilitating more favourable conditions for the entire chain,” he adds.
The country added roughly 8,648 new producing acres over the past year, with La Libertad continuing to account for about 48 percent of national output. Other key growing regions, such as Ica, show potential to reach 20 percent in the medium term.
Peru’s extended varietal portfolio, combining early and late varieties, has allowed shipments to remain steady at roughly 19,000–20,000 tonnes per week from week 38 to week 45.
A changing market
The United States remains the largest destination for Peruvian blueberries at 44 percent, though this share has declined due to the 10 percent tariff. Europe now accounts for approximately 32 percent, while China continues to grow to nearly 15 percent. Vegas highlights that tariffs affect availability, pricing, and supply stability for American consumers.
“The continuation of this tariff forces us to redirect part of the volume to other markets and affects Peru's competitiveness in its main destination,” Vegas says, referring to the 10 percent US tariff on Peruvian blueberries.
Looking ahead, Peru is roughly 70 percent through its season, which is expected to continue at a steady pace until April 2026. Vegas emphasizes “the importance of strategic, sustainable and less concentrated production” and noted that “a flatter curve facilitates logistics, improves field operations and allows for a healthier arrival at the markets.”
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