Blueberry world market overview

The global blueberry market is characterized by what exporters and importers call persistently high prices, high demand and some see lower but better quality arriving compared to other seasons. In general, there is less fruit available from the world's leading blueberry producer, Peru, or its South American counterparts, Mexico and Chile. This is mainly due to weather challenges that continued into the New Year. European markets in the Netherlands (where “persistently high prices are seen”), Italy and central and eastern Europe are seeing very high prices, while alternative sources, such as South Africa, were sought over the Christmas and New Year period. However, that country struggled to fully capitalize on this trend due to port inefficiencies and having to resort to more expensive air transport to meet increased demand. North America is experiencing increased supply with above-average prices for blueberries. Portugal hopes to have one of its best seasons yet. Morocco, which ...