W43: Weekly Berry Update
Blueberry
Peru: Blueberry Cultivation Is Expected to Reach 20,000 Ha by 2025
Peru is consolidating its position as the world's largest exporter of blueberries with 25% of global exports. The country is expected to reach 20,000 hectares of cultivation by 2025. The conditions on the Peruvian coast have proven to be ideal for growing blueberries; superior yields of more than 10 tons compared to 8 tons in the US, coupled with good weather conditions, lower labor costs and an off-season supplying unsatisfied markets in Europe and the United States have resulted in a formula for success.The main regions where blueberries are grown are La Libertad, Lambayeque, Ancash, Lima and Piura, which are mainly available from August to December. It is estimated that Peru has a total of 16,000 cultivated hectares and is expected to have 20,000 by the end of 2025. One point that hinders the yield increase is the high cost per hectare, which can range from € 40,000 to € 70,000, depending on the complexity and the technology applied. Despite the high costs, cultivation and export continue to increase.
Peru: The Price of Blueberries Falls Approximately 10% So Far in This Campaign
Between June and October 25, the average price of blueberries at the port of shipment was US$5.16/kg, while in the same period of the 2021/22 campaign it was US$5.73/kg, which implies a drop of 10%. This decline is part of a trend in recent years. Analysts point out that it is due to the strong volume of exports from Peru, in addition to the new Mexican supply. The biggest drop in the price of the blueberry comes from the United Kingdom market, which in the same period of the 2021/22 campaign sold an average of US$6.29/kg, but in the current campaign it fell to US$4.96/kg. Similarly, in Europe the value is today at US$5.03, when in the previous campaign it was US$5.65, according to data released by the consulting firm Fresh Fruit. In the 2018/19 campaign, the kilo of fruit corresponded to US$7.68 on average, but for the 2019/20 campaign it fell to US$6.48 and for 2020/21 US$6.10 was obtained. Inversely, the volumes exported from Peru increased considerably each year.
Peru: Blueberries, Grapes, and Avocados Consolidate as Main Export Products to the United Kingdom
Peru has a potential exporter in the United Kingdom with 31 items considered as 'stars' and another 129 classified as 'promising', considered by the Center for Research on Global Economy and Business of the Association of Exporters (CIEN-ADEX). During her participation in the Free Trade Agreement workshop between the United Kingdom and the Andean Countries, the head of Consulting and Projects at CIEN-ADEX, Lizbeth Pumasunco, explained that some products are blueberries (US$ 59 million) and grapes ( $50 million). Added to this list are avocados (US$25 million), fishmeal (US$20 million), bananas (US$19 million), T-shirts (US 13 million), mangoes (US$5.8 million), and asparagus (US$ 5.6 million).
Peru: Blueberry Exports Register an Average Annual Growth of 70% Since 2013
The Peruvian Foreign Trade Society (ComexPerú) reported that Peruvian blueberry exports increased to USD 1.2 billion in 2021, which represents an increase from the USD 17 million registered in 2013, with an average annual growth rate of 70%. Blueberries are currently the country's second largest export product, behind table grapes, according to Agraria.pe. This accelerated course allowed Peru to position itself as the main world supplier of this variety of berries. Between January and August 2022, shipments of fresh blueberries from Peru amounted to USD 410 million, a YoY increase of 68%.
Peru: Peruvian Blueberry Enters 12 New Export Markets
Peru wants to enter 12 new export markets in the future. This follows the recent opening and first export shipments to Portugal, Israel and Jordan, which are part of the current season. "Our goal is to enter one more market before the end of this season, but we don't know yet if we will be able to, as it depends on several factors," said Luis Miguel Vegas, general manager of the Association of Blueberries Producers of Peru (ProAránanos). Peru is already known in 62 international markets as a top producer and exporter for blueberries. ProAránanos estimates that for the current 2022/23 season, the country will export about 25% more than last year's 250,000 tons of blueberries.
However, the focus is not only on growth, but also on diversifying the markets, spreading risks and increasing sales opportunities for Peruvian growers and export companies. Given global risks and events, the Peruvian blueberry industry learned early on not to rely too much on just a few key markets. "It's important for us to reach a greater diversity of markets so that there are more sales opportunities for the companies. We are currently working on 12 new destinations," explains Miguel Vegas. Entering new markets does not happen overnight. A lot of efforts are needed from the government and ministries, embassies and agencies such as Senasa, but also from the sector and various specialists with sister companies in the new export country. It is well known that it takes between 10-15 years for a product to enter a new market.
China: First Batch of Chilean Blueberries Arrived at China in W43
In W43, the first batch of 1.5kg boxes of Chilean blueberries arrived at Wuhan and Shanghai wholesale markets in China. Fruits have a good appearance, of the Ventura variety and, their sale prices are USD 20.69 (RMB 150) for an 18+mm 1.5kg box. Due to the high price, only 40% of the total imports were sold.
Tridge Analysis: Fresh Chilean Blueberry Exports Set to Be 8% Lower Due to Production Shifts
Exports of fresh Chilean blueberries are projected to fall by 8% to 98 thousand mt for the 2022/23 export campaign that has just started. The decrease is mainly attributed to the shift in the quality and condition of the fruit rather than the overall export volume. The Chilean blueberry industry has been adapting technologies and to the current conditions of competition in international markets. As a result, exports of fresh blueberries are expected to decline, while frozen and processed blueberry exports are expected to increase. (Continue Reading)
Italy: Demand for Peruvian Blueberries in Italy Rises Despite High Prices
Despite the prevailing high price of imported blueberries in Italy, the demand is still increasing. In June 2022, the Italian market started its export campaign of Duke variety blueberries, the only variety produced in northern Italy and mainly sold in the European market, with a harvest that only lasted till the end of July or early August. As a result, the demand for blueberries in October relies heavily on imports, mostly purchased and distributed by the GDO. For W42, blueberries from Peru were sold at a retail price of USD 16.00/kg.
Netherlands: Blueberry Market in Netherlands Under Pressure Due to High Volumes From Peru
Berry importers report that the Dutch blueberry market was under pressure in W42 as the sales prices for a box of 12x125gm did not exceed USD 9.00 per box, with some volumes even selling for USD 8.00 per box in the same format. It should be noted that these blueberries are of Peruvian origin, mainly Duke - Biloxi. The Dutch market has received an estimated 30% higher volume of blueberries compared to the same time last season. The high volumes of Peruvian blueberries are also affecting other origins, such as Argentina, but these countries have tried to defend their comparatively higher prices due to its higher cost, with the average sales price for Argentinian origin blueberries being between USD USD 9.50-9.75 per box in W42. Importers expect the Dutch market to remain at this level for at least 4 more weeks. Once the volumes from Peru decrease, the market should move upwards to USD 10.00 per box towards the end of November.
New Zealand: Late Frost Destroys 50-90% Of Blueberries and Kiwifruits Crops in New Zealand
In W43, a late frost in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions of New Zealand swiped blueberry and kiwifruits across the region. Producers lost about 50-90% of their crops while some farmers their entire seasons' income overnight. Temperatures decreased to -5 degrees Celsius in the early hours of October 7th, 2022. Estimates show that the frost destroyed 50% of the national blueberry crop this season, with the Waikato region suffering a loss of around 90% of the crop. This was the worst frost experienced in 10 years, with estimated crop losses in blueberries of 3.5-4M trays.
Spain: We Are So Concerned About the Use of Water That, in Blueberry, We Optimize 110%
The drought that plagues the entire country and lack of water in general are priority issues for blueberry cultivation in the province of Huelva. A cutting-edge crop in this area of the country, where most of the national production and much of Europe is concentrated. In general terms, the production of red fruits from Huelva has been optimized for years, including that of blueberries. "We are so concerned about the use of water, that this crop optimizes irrigation to the maximum, I would say 110%", affirms the president of the Huelva delegation of the Official College of Agricultural Technical Engineers of Western Andalusia, Julio Volante. These days he is immersed in the last touches of the program of the Blueberry technical conference that will be held on November 9.
Strawberry
The Agricultural and Livestock Service, SAG, reports that it is making every effort to ensure that producers have plants free of the Aphelenchoides fragariae pest , called "strawberry foliar nematode", as soon as possible. For this purpose, the nurseries that tested positive have been required to carry out control treatments on an approximate universe of 52 million plants, the results of which will be available as of October 28 in a staggered manner, the date from which hopes to have strawberry plants free of this nematode.
Netherlands: The Price of Bell Pepper Peaks, While Cucumber and Strawberry Prices Fall
The sharp fall in strawberry prices, well below the five-year average, came to a halt last week. The average price remains just above 2 euros per kilo. The price for raspberries has also fallen below the five-year average. The average price for blackberries is still above that.
Raspberry
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Troubles of Raspberry Growers
Raspberry growers in Bosnia and Herzegovina counted on high prices this season. The freezers bought the entire amount of raspberries available on the market, and the producers paid half of the amount due as an advance payment. In the canton of Una-Sana, the advance payments were from 5 to 6 convertible marks per kilogram, i.e. from 12.10 to 14.52 PLN / kg, however, according to the contract, the sales rate was 10 marks, i.e. PLN 24.19 / kg converted into PLN .
