W13: Weekly Berry Update

Blackberry

Bulgaria: The Rise in Price of Water for Irrigation Will Lead to an Increase in the Cost of Berry Production in Bulgaria (Mar 30)

In Bulgaria, blackberries and raspberries producers forecast that the cost of production will increase as water irrigation has risen by 17-300%.

Blueberry

Italy: Upward Tensions Continue for Blueberries (Mar 28)

In Italy, the tension in the blueberry market continues, with availability still not full from Spain and Morocco. The price index of Italian blueberries recorded an increase of 8.1%. 

Europe: Unfavorable Weather Conditions Led to a Shortage of Blueberries in the European Market (Mar 31)

In Europe, the imports of blueberries decreased in 2023. Exports from Chile ended earlier than usual due to the intensely hot weather in the country. In Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, deliveries stopped due to the cold weather.

Peru: Peru Will Export Between 330K and 350K Tons of Fresh Blueberries in the 2023/24 Campaign (Mar 27)

From the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign in June until March 12, Peru exported 283K tons of fresh blueberries, an increase of 30% compared to the previous 2021/22 campaign.

Peru: The United States, the Netherlands and China Account For 92% Of Peruvian Fresh Blueberry Shipments Two Weeks After the End of the 2022/23 Campaign (Mar 28)

In W12, shipments of Peruvian blueberries registered 1,072 tons, an increase of 20% compared to the same week of 2022. The accumulated total of the current campaign has been 331.5K tons, a rise of 29% compared to the previous one. The main destinations were the United States, with a participation of 67% (717 tons), followed by the United Kingdom, with 15% (156 tons), the Netherlands, with 14% (156 tons), and China, with a 12% participation (39,119 tons).

Peru: Blueberry Exports Grow by 30% (Mar 29)

In Peru, the 2022/23 blueberry campaign started in June 2022 and will end in the upcoming days From the start of the season until March 12, Peru exported 283K tons of fresh blueberries, a rise of 30% compared to the same period of the previous campaign. This increase in volume is similar to that recorded in previous years. The blueberry season calendar has extended, now from June to March, peaking in September and October. For the 2023/24 season, the volume of fresh blueberries exported from Peru is expected to reach 330K-350K tons.

Mulberry

Turkey: Black Mulberry Harvest in Mersin, Turkey (Mar 28)

In Mersin's Silifke district, the black mulberry harvest of the year continues, and it has started to be sold abroad for USD 2.60/kg (TRY 50/kg). Black mulberry started the harvest in January and will continue at regular intervals until May.

Raspberry

Morocco: Moroccan Raspberry Exports to the EU Are Booming (Mar 28)

Morocco recorded a sharp increase in frozen raspberry exports to the European Union, from 3.6K tons in 2020 to 16.7K tons in 2022. The export of fresh raspberries has also increased and will reach a volume of 56.2K tons in 2022, after an increase of 36% in 2021.

Strawberry

Egypt: Cultivation Costs of Egyptian Strawberries Doubled (Mar 31)

In Egypt, strawberry growers reported unfavorable weather conditions in 2023, resulting in higher cultivation costs, lower volumes of production, and a change in the choice of strawberry

Georgia: Demand for Offseason Strawberries Keeps Growing in Georgia (Mar 30)

In January and February 2023, Georgia imported 420 tonnes of fresh strawberries, triple more than the same period in 2022. Georgian strawberry season peaks in May and June, and the supply decreases quickly. In the current off-season, strawberry import volumes are record-breaking so far.

Morocco: Cold Snap in January and February Will Reduce the Export of Garden Strawberries From Morocco by 30% (Mar 31)

Due to unfavorable weather conditions in January and February in Morocco, strawberry harvest volumes from individual producers decreased by 30%, and exports dropped from 14.5K tons at the end of February 2022 to 10K tons by the end of February 2023.

South Korea: Dropped Prices of Korean Strawberry During W13 (Mar 31)

Korean strawberry's maximum selling price in W13 stood at USD 5.83-10.20/250g, which is lower by around 12.5% than W12's price of USD 5.83-11.66/250g. The strawberry comes from farms in Korea, and the berries size is 21 grams. It is already in phase 4 of the strawberry growth cycle, which will be able to get small sizes.

Turkey: Strawberry Harvest Is Open in Silifke District of Mersin, One of the Production Centers of Turkey (Mar 27)

Strawberry harvest has started in the Silifke district of Mersin, one of Turkey's production centers. Reporting 80K tons of product harvest is expected from 20K acres of strawberries, pricing at an average of USD 0.78-1.56/kg (TRY 15-30/kg).