Chinese blueberry exports gain traction in Southeast Asia
China continues to strengthen its position in the global blueberry market, with sustained growth of its exports to Southeast Asia, says local media outlet South China Morning Post.
According to data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs cited by the news site, the country exported $24.4 million worth of blueberries and cranberries in April. In Q1 2026, shipments totaled $38.8 million, rapidly approaching the $50.8 million recorded during the 2025 season and widely surpassing the $23.1 million reached in 2024.
Growth has been largely driven by increased output from Yunnan province, the country's main blueberry production area. According to the consulting firm Dezan Shira & Associates, between 2020 and 2025, the cultivated acreage and fruit production in the region doubled, generating greater supply for both the domestic and export markets.
Infrastructure and trade agreements boost blueberry shipments
Quinn Lu, senior manager at Dezan Shira, explained to the South China Morning Post that access to Southeast Asia has been facilitated by trade agreements included in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The treaty involves the region’s most important economies, including China, ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, and Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
The China-Laos railway is further benefiting the sector. Debuted almost five years ago, the initiative enables accelerated land transport, directly improving post-harvest conditions for perishable products.
According to Lu, Chinese blueberries can now reach markets like Kuala Lumpur in a matter of days, either by land or sea, compared to the weeks required by other more distant suppliers. Furthermore, the fruit is sold for around $7 per kilo.
He also noted that refrigeration systems used during transport have enabled the maintenance of high-quality standards, such as good appearance, uniform size, and longer shelf life.
China consolidates its production leadership
China is currently the largest global blueberry producer.
According to a report released in April by the state agency Xinhua, the cultivated area has increased from approximately 164,000 acres to over 260,000 acres in five years.
In the same period, total production has reached 810,000 tons, driven by ag-tech innovations that have also helped the sector’s margins.
In contrast, cranberry exports remain limited, as most of the production from Heilongjiang, the main producing region for this berry, is destined for the domestic market.
Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand among the main destinations
Chinese customs statistics show that Malaysia imported $3.7 million worth of blueberries and cranberries from China in April, while Singapore bought $3.9 million and Thailand $2.6 million. Hong Kong and Russia led the list of buyers, with imports exceeding $4 million each.
The growing Southeast Asian interest in the fruit is partly explained by the region's productive constraints, as the prevalent tropical climate makes blueberry cultivation difficult due to the absence of cold winters necessary for flowering.
*All images are referential.
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