In the 2023/24 blueberry export season in South America, Argentina and Chile had contrasting experiences. Argentina benefited from reduced competition from Peru, which faced inclement weather, allowing Argentina to export 15 thousand tons of blueberry at high prices. Meanwhile, Chile faced challenges from El Niño and quality issues from heat waves and rain, but ended the season with over 86 thousand tons, slightly lower than the previous year but surpassing initial projections. The United States (US) emerged as the primary market for Chilean blueberries, leading to a significant 190% increase in air shipments to address the supply shortages in the US. However, quality and market price issues arose towards the end of the season due to heatwaves and rain. Both countries emphasized the importance of adapting to market demands and environmental challenges to maintain their positions in the global blueberry market.
The Turkish blueberry season is progressing smoothly, with an expected peak harvest of around 10 tons per day in the coming weeks. The harvest will be most intense in May-24 and Jun-24, with a total season harvest expectation of 600 tons. The weather has been favorable, with no significant difficulties reported during the harvest. Moreover, the blueberry prices have decreased from USD 16.08 per kilogram (kg) at the start of the season to USD 9.65/kg and are predicted to stabilize around USD 7.51/kg to 8.58/kg for the rest of the season.
The Moroccan blueberry season has abruptly ended, marking the beginning of the summer fruit and vegetable phase. Furthermore, the accusations of soft fruit contamination have hindered the Moroccan blueberry campaign, leading to the departure of many exporters from the market. Additionally, the stringent export conditions have aligned with the start of the Spanish blueberry campaign, prompting several Moroccan blueberry exporters to transition to other crops. The next phase involves rotating fruits and vegetables like watermelons, melons, sweet potatoes, and onions. Despite these challenges, growers remain optimistic, with recent rainfall replenishing dam reserves and recharging the region's water table.