Opinion | Blueberry, the new candy for children and adults

By Betina Ernst, agricultural engineer and President at consulting firm Top Info Marketing. 

Just like characters in a movie, foods are labeled in a binary—hero and villain; good and bad. Without a doubt, the biggest supervillain, almost the demon of nutrition, is sugar. Luckily, as in most successful movies, the bad guy is defeated by a superhero, in this case, the blueberry. 

This tiny berry is sweet and, most importantly, practical, a fundamental attribute in modern society where there is never enough time for anything. You can eat blueberries directly, without utensils, without worrying about seeds or needing to cut them, and they don’t make a mess or leave your fingers sticky. Blueberries have a delicate sugar-to-acidity ratio, bright color, and pleasant texture, and come in small portions and disposable containers. This fruit not only has all the advantages of candy but is also actually good for you, benefiting our cardiovascular, neurological, urinary, and immune systems, as well as our muscles and eyes.

Because they’re produced in different regions, blueberries are available at retail year-round, with large chains showcasing attractive displays, running promotions, and keeping prices accessible to a large part of consumers. Mothers have found this berry an ideal ally when pediatricians prohibit the consumption of sweets during the first years of a child's life. 

Another factor that contributes to its commercial success is the continuous introduction of more and better varieties, with breeders seeking a fruit of outstanding characteristics (adequate balance of sugar/acidity, crunchy, tasty), long shelf life, and consistency. Because nothing is worse for sales than disappointed consumers seeking (and failing) to replicate an experience.

A blueberry driven by Southern Hemisphere producers

The Southern Hemisphere is a pillar of this success. This year, the region set a new export record, surpassing 500 tons, double what the industry shipped only six years ago. 

Obviously, Peru is leading the race, contributing 76 percent of that total. Although its expansion is already slower than in the first years of the blueberry boom, the Andean industry continues to grow as surface area expands, young plantations reach full production, cultivation techniques continue to improve, and old varieties are replaced with new, more productive ones. The Peruvian campaign is currently coming to a close, but it has already shipped 382,000 tons, doubling its exports in just four years. 

Other Southern Hemisphere countries don’t show this dizzying growth, and their production and exports have rather stabilized. Chile maintains second place, exporting some 93,000 tons of fresh blueberries during the 2025/26 season, maintaining its leadership in frozen blueberries. It is followed by South Africa with 26,000 tons, and by other small suppliers, including Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Ecuador, who have altogether exported just over 5,000 tons.

The United States remains the world's largest blueberry market, but its importance is no longer what it used to be. Traditionally, the country received half of Southern Hemisphere shipments, but in recent years, other destinations have had more marked growth, leaving the US market share at 42 percent. Europe has made strides to become a major destination, with imported volumes approaching those of the US and reaching a 39 percent market share. 

Although still far from the US and the EU, Asia has shown the most marked growth, receiving 17 percent of Southern Hemisphere blueberry exports. Within this great continent, China stands out as a major buyer of blueberries, but other countries in the Far East (Korea, Japan, and Taiwan) and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and India) are emerging as promising markets.

This piece was originally published on TopInfo on May 12, 2026.  

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