Inka’s Berries’ ambitious export goals: The firm wants to ship 1,000 blueberry containers
Writing and reporting by Macarena Bravo | Lee esta noticia en Español
Peruvian blueberry producer and exporter Inka’s Berries is ready to reach a significant milestone in 2026. The firm is preparing to ship 1,000 containers this season, underscoring strong growth potential as the South American country continues to reign as the world's top blueberry exporter.
To learn more about the strategy behind this massive goal, FreshFruitPortal.com spoke with President Carlos Gereda, who explained that productive maturity and investments made by the company in recent years have helped cement the growth. This includes Inka’s Berries’ acquisition of approximately 740 acres for high-yield variety development in Ica, one of Peru’s key blueberry-producing regions.
“Last year we exported nearly 9,590 tons, and this year we expect to exceed 14,330 tons,” he said.
When asked about destination markets, the executive noted that approximately 50 percent of the product goes to the United States, 45 percent to Europe, and the remaining five percent to China. The company is actively exploring new opportunities and strengthening its presence to support future growth.
The role of varietal replacement in the Inka’s Berries strategy
One of the key factors behind Inka’s Berries’ growth has been varietal renewal. According to Gereda, about 85 percent of the company’s acres are new blueberry varieties such as Avril Blue and Alisa Blue. The rest comprises conventional varieties that will soon be replaced by novel genetics.
“We have focused on highly productive varieties that are resilient to climate change and have distinctive flavor attributes. We believe that flavor will be one of the main differentiating factors in international markets,” he said.
The campaign officially began in week 24, and according to the executive, the first harvests show results in line with company projections. So far, no negative impacts have been observed in parameters such as fruit size, firmness, or flavor.
Faced with the potential influence of El Niño, Gereda emphasized that the company is well prepared, thanks to the proven performance of its blueberry varieties during a similar weather event in 2023.
In addition to agronomic management, the company has strengthened logistics to ensure container availability and prevent disruptions during a season expected to see a significant increase in export volumes.
The company has an operational strategy supported by a decentralized structure, with operations spread across northern, central, and southern Peru. Its presence in different production areas allows it to manage logistical challenges more efficiently and reduce risks associated with geographic concentration.
The company expects to wrap up the season in December and maintain an early production curve, with approximately 50 percent of the fruit harvested before week 40.
*All images courtesy of Inka’s Berries.
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