Overview of the Global Blueberry Market

Published 2021년 4월 21일

Peru, the world's leading blueberry exporter, has ended its season showing continued growth at a pace faster than any other country in 2020/21. Chile currently dominates the market but has suffered a shortage of labor for harvesting, which has weakened export volumes. Spain and Morocco's harvest seasons will follow Chile's, with both countries expected to enter the market late, creating a gap in the market. US blueberry volumes will be concentrated on the east coast, as logistical problems at the Port of Los Angeles are set to reduce west coast shipments. Prices of local blueberries declined in South Africa following an ample supply of domestic blueberries.

Peru: Continued production and export growth

Peruvian blueberry exports increased in 2020 by 22% in volume and 2% in value, reaching 150,417 tons worth USD 824 million. The low increase in value was due to increased supplies driving prices down. Blueberries are now the second main agricultural export product of Peru, following expansion rates of close to 50% during the last few years. In 2019, Peru overtook Chile to become the largest blueberry supplier worldwide with a share of 23%. Peru's leading markets in 2020 were the US (52% share), the Netherlands (27% share), and China and Hong Kong (11% share).

Source: ITC Trade map, Tridge

Germany: Retail shortages and quality concerns

The German market has gone through a turbulent year, as the country's leading supplier, Chile, suffered a shortage of picking and packing workers due to COVID-19. Due to these problems, the Chilean season ended earlier than usual, with the last large batches arriving in the third week of February. Typically, Chilean blueberries are available until the end of March. This has led to a blueberry shortage in Germany. Demand in the German retail sector remains high due to the gap created by the closure of the restaurant sector. German importers then switched to Moroccan and Spanish blueberries much earlier than usual. Prices for Chilean blueberries averaged at EUR 6-8/kg, while prices of Spanish and Moroccan blueberries are expected to start around EUR 10/kg.

United Kingdom: Chilean exports fail to meet expectations

The blueberry season started well, which led to high prices in September and October 2020, despite the pressure from Peruvian exports entering the market from late October to November. Chilean blueberry exports were lower than expected, and this has benefited UK suppliers.

France: Low demand

Chile is currently the leading supplier of blueberries to the French market, followed by Spain. French merchants have been satisfied with the quantity and quality of the berries. However, there is currently low demand for blueberries in the French market.

Italy: Sales show stability

Conditions in the Italian blueberry market have been good this season, despite COVID-19's impact on the foodservice industry. Patisseries and restaurants have historically been a significant market for blueberries. However, despite COVID-19-related closures, blueberry demand has remained steady. The season began with Peru as the leading supplier, and this has shifted to Chile and will be followed by North Africa, especially Morocco. The blueberries are imported by plane or ship, and the wholesaler receives them already packaged in 125-gram trays. Wholesalers sell "giant" blueberries, and the average wholesale price in January was between EUR 8-11/kg. The quality has been good, and Italian blueberry production in the south will begin in late spring, followed by central and northern Italy later in the year.

Spain: Gap in the market due to late harvest

Demand for blueberries has been high in Spain despite the COVID-19 related restrictions around the world. South American blueberries from Argentina, Chile, and Peru have performed well, despite lower volumes this year. The last shipments of Chilean blueberries arrived by the end of February, which was earlier than the end of March, as expected. Spain experienced snowstorms and frosts in early January, which delayed production. Morocco also experienced a slow start, leading to limited blueberry volumes in February and March. From that moment on, Spanish volumes gradually increased.

Source: ITC Trade map, Tridge

Poland: Challenging season completed

Poland's summer was hit by frost, which affected 30-40% of the early blueberry varieties. Demand at the beginning of the season was slow but recovered gradually. Due to the effects of the pandemic and unfavorable weather, the price of Polish blueberries has been higher in 2021 compared to the previous year. Poland has also struggled to find workers, as the effects of COVID-19 made it difficult for Ukrainian workers to travel to Poland for work. The main markets for Poland are the EU, the Middle East, and Asia.

South Africa: Higher domestic sales due to logistical challenges

South Africa exported over 15K tons of blueberries by the end of 2020, which was more than what the country exported during the entire 2019/2020 season when 12,221 tons were shipped. However, heavy rains and cold weather reduced the harvest below expected levels. Due to logistical delays and a shortage of air cargo capacity, most growers decided to sell their blueberries domestically, causing a dip in prices. Due to high costs, the sector aims to shift towards exporting by sea instead of by air.

Prices have been high this season, rising by 77% and reaching ZAR 177.33/kg (USD 12.47/kg) due to the low supply. South Africa's primary markets are the UK and the EU, followed by the Middle East and Asia.

South African blueberries.

United States: Season hampered by Port delays

The supply of blueberries in North America has been lower than usual this season due to logistical problems. Chile, the primary supplier to the region, began shipping at the beginning of 2021, mainly to the east coast. Mexico mainly supplies the west coast. Chile's harvest has been affected by a labor shortage, and Peru's blueberry season ended early. The Port of Los Angeles is experiencing delays, with specific loads being delayed by a few days. Blueberry demand is currently stable, but the supply is decreasing. Consumers have shown a preference towards larger packaging formats.