Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh blueberry (arándano) is a non-traditional highland fruit crop in Ecuador, with commercial cultivation reported since around 2015 and production concentrated in Sierra provinces including Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Azuay, and Loja. Agrocalidad has described the sector as early-stage (around 50 hectares reported) and positioned for export market development. Ecuador’s first widely publicized seaborne shipment was 5 tonnes to the Netherlands in September 2022. Export activity remains small, but UN Comtrade-based data for HS 081040 (Vaccinium berries, fresh) shows Ecuador shipping to the United States and multiple European and Asian destinations in 2023.
Market RoleEmerging producer and exporter (small base)
Domestic RoleNon-traditional fruit crop being developed to supply domestic demand and build export programs
Market GrowthGrowing (near- to medium-term outlook)early-stage expansion from pilot projects to initial export programs
Specification
Primary VarietyAtlas Blue
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Highland farm harvest -> pack/selection -> rapid cooling -> Agrocalidad phytosanitary inspection -> Certificado Fitosanitario de Exportación (CFE) -> export by sea (e.g., to the Netherlands) and/or air for small palletized programs -> importer distribution
Temperature- Cold-chain discipline is critical from post-harvest through export; temperature breaks can quickly reduce firmness and marketability on long-distance routes.
Shelf Life- Export shelf-life performance is highly sensitive to time-to-cooling, handling damage, and temperature stability during port/airport dwell times.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighExporting fresh blueberries from Ecuador is contingent on meeting destination-country phytosanitary requirements and passing Agrocalidad inspection to obtain the Certificado Fitosanitario de Exportación (CFE); non-compliance can block shipments or trigger rejections.Confirm destination requirements via Agrocalidad’s consultation tools, align treatments/controls before inspection, and run a pre-shipment compliance checklist tied to CFE issuance.
Logistics MediumCold-chain breaks during long-distance transport (sea and/or air) and port/airport dwell time can cause rapid quality loss (softening, decay), increasing claims and rejections.Implement rapid post-harvest cooling, monitored temperature logging end-to-end, and contingency plans for delays (backup cold storage, priority handling).
Supply Reliability MediumEcuador’s blueberry sector is still small and scaling; limited cultivated area and early-stage production can constrain consistent, program-volume supply for buyers.Start with smaller contracted programs, qualify multiple farms/packhouses, and build phased volume commitments aligned to verified capacity.
Labor & Social- FEPEXA communications highlight significant female participation in the blueberry workforce; buyers may face heightened expectations around fair employment practices, working conditions, and documented labor compliance.
FAQ
Which regions in Ecuador are most associated with fresh blueberry (arándano) cultivation?Industry and public-sector communications most commonly cite Sierra production zones, including Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Azuay and Loja (with additional coastal trials mentioned in some sources).
What is the core phytosanitary requirement to export fresh blueberries from Ecuador?Agrocalidad describes export phytosanitary certification as centered on operator registration, phytosanitary inspection, and issuance of the Certificado Fitosanitario de Exportación (CFE), with exporters expected to meet the destination country’s phytosanitary requirements.