In W45 in the blueberry landscape, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared a disaster area for nearly 30 counties in southeast Georgia, eligible for assistance due to damage caused by Hurricane Idalia. The disaster declaration covers various crops, such as blueberries, peaches, and bell peppers. The affected counties, home to over 7.80 thousand agricultural operations, can now apply for emergency disaster relief. The total economic loss caused by Hurricane Idalia is still being calculated.
Furthermore, record heat during the blueberry flowering season in South America, particularly in Peru, has raised concerns about a significant drop in exports and potential price increases. The unprecedented temperatures, attributed to the El Niño pattern, have led to crop damage, delayed blooming, and elevated ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels. As a result, retail prices in the United States (US) surged by 60% year-on-year (YoY), reaching approximately USD 6 per pound (lb), causing worries about customer aversion to higher prices. Despite concerns, an expected increase in blueberry arrivals from Chile and Central Mexico on Dec-23 may alleviate supply and demand pressures.
Chile's blueberry industry is experiencing changes in market dynamics due to emerging competitors in Peru, Mexico, Morocco, and southern China. Over the past two seasons, Chile has reduced its blueberry export volumes, expecting a 6% year-on-year (YoY) decline in the 2023/24 season. This decrease is due to declining exports of specific blueberry varieties, which are either redirected to the frozen product market or phased out. According to the Executive Director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee, the industry is undergoing a substitution process for these varieties, which is a time-consuming endeavor.
In addition, Chilean blueberry exporters are working to enhance the quality of their products to further meet US standards, following qualitative trade research by the Chilean Blueberry Committee. The industry is committed to providing the best-quality blueberries to the US market, with efforts focusing on addressing concerns raised during interviews with importers and retailers. Growers are replacing old trees with more efficient varieties. These efforts aim to enhance Chile's blueberry offerings and maintain its position as a top supplier to the US market.
Lastly, Serbian blueberry growers, particularly those practicing open-field cultivation, faced challenges in the 2023 season due to adverse weather conditions, including rain in late spring and a cold summer. While the overall yield remained unchanged, there was a crop loss of approximately 15%, leading to a drop in exports to the European Union (EU). Despite the reduced volumes, prices did not increase, and the industry experienced constant pressure. The unfavorable weather conditions also affected the harvest timing for blueberries and other soft fruits in Serbia.