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The end of restrictions on the entry of blueberries to the U.S. has been announced for years, but Chilean authorities and producers are confident that after five years the change will soon be realized

An industry representative said the figure would mark a 51.5% rise over the previous season, which was severely affected by heavy rains and flooding at the start of 2017.

The Washington-based company also anticipates a "very strong" green market in the U.S. in April due to supply shortages and also says it will handle a rising proportion of Peruvian IP varieties in the North American country over the coming years.

The company will release 30,000 trays of the fruit grown in a handful of New Zealand orchards to both national supermarket chains and selected retailers over the next five weeks.

The figure is almost 10-fold higher than it was in 2008, with the industry having undergone skyrocketing growth.

However, president and CEO Harold Edwards said: "Our business is best viewed on an annual basis, which is why despite the lower pricing environment, we believe the underlying fundamentals of the business are strong and remain confident we will achieve our full year 2019 guidance."

The industry body has welcomed the extension of the skilled visa program but says the government needs to go further to address the underlying farm labor shortage.

PRESS RELEASE The Guatemalan Produce Trade Association (GPTA), comprised of the major importers and key players in the Guatemalan produce trade, is amplifing its influence and involvment in strategic issues and industry events. Members of the association share their perspective and outlook for Guatemala’s continuing trade. Guatemala persists with significant potential for the U.S. produce […]

PRESS RELEASE Auckland, New Zealand, – BBC Technologies, part of TOMRA Food and global leader in turnkey solutions for sorting, packing and optimizing small fruit, extends its turnkey blueberry line with the new Tray Tipper, which automates delivery of the fruit into its industry-defining KATO260 sorter, optimizing its performance. The new automated Tray Tipper system was […]

A provision moving through Congress as part of disaster aid legislation would let farmers earning more than US$900,000 on average for the past three years qualify for the US$12 billion trade mitigation program.