W1: Weekly Berry Update

Blackberry

Brazil: A New Variety of Blackberry in Brazil Is Presented to the Productive Sector (Jan 3)

A new variety of blackberries was presented to the productive sector of the Campos de Cima da Serra region, at the Temperate Climate Fruit Growing Experimental Station of Embrapa Grape and Wine, located in Vacaria (RS). The variety BRS Ticuna stands out for its productivity and higher acidity, which makes it suitable for processing products. Developed by the Genetic Improvement Program of Embrapa Clima Temperado, the cultivar can reach up to 18 tons per hectare and has large-sized fruits.

Blueberry

Chile: Blueberry Cultivation Area Has More Than Doubled (Jan 3)

Blueberry producers from Chile are intensively expanding the area of their crops. The blueberry cultivation area has grown to over 18K hectares. The blueberry cultivation area in Chile increased from around 7K hectares in 2010/11 to over 18K hectares in 2021/22. According to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the United States is the most important market for fresh and frozen Chilean berries, absorbing more than half of Chile's exports. 

Netherlands: Almost Half of the Households in Netherlands Buy Blueberries (Jan 6)

In the past five years, the consumption of blueberries in the Netherlands has doubled, playing a leading role in the international trade of blueberries. Imports have tripled in the past five years. The top 3 countries of origin are Peru, Chile, and South Africa. The number of households buying blueberries has risen sharply. In 2017, 35% of all households sometimes or regularly bought blueberries.

Peru: Peruvian Exports of Fresh Blueberries Grow 29.3% In Volume So Far in the 2022/23 Campaign (Jan 4)

The Peruvian exports of fresh blueberries during June and December of the 2022/23 campaign reached 256K tons, an increase of 29.3% compared to the 198K tons shipped in the same period of the previous 2021/22 campaign.

The behavior of shipments during the 2022/23 campaign was the following; June 3.15M kg, July 10.73M kg, August 38.65M kg, September 70.59M kg, October 71.72M kg, November 39.84M kg, and December 21.29M kg. Despite the blockades registered in December of the 2022/23 campaign, shipments were higher than those in December 2021/22. 

Vietnam: High Popularity of Peruvian Blueberries in the Vietnamese Market in W52 (Jan 3)

In the Vietnamese market, the most popular imported blueberries are from Peru. A clamshell of 125g of Peruvian blueberries is conveniently available at grocery stores, wet markets, and fruit stands. The retail prices of Peruvian blueberries in W52 stood around USD 2.5-2.7/125g clamshell.

Strawberry

Spain: The Price of Strawberries in the First Weeks of the Campaign Is Somewhat Lower Than in Previous Years (Jan 2)

The Observatory of Prices and Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development reported that the strawberry prices in the last weeks of 2022 in Spain were somewhat lower than those of 2021 during the same period. The strawberry campaign in the province of Huelva began at the end of November 2022, with a low volume of fruit sales. In January, there are hardly any trading companies that have started to work, thus there is little data on prices at origin and in stores.

Thailand: Price of Korean Strawberries Declined in Thailand in W52 (Jan 3)

The price of Korean Strawberries in the Talad Thai Market decreased steadily from W50 to W52 by about 64% (from a maximum price of USD 20/250g to USD 7.14/250g). Some of the reasons for the price drop include:

- More imported K-strawberries are in the market.

- Local Thai strawberries like Hybrid 80 will be progressively introduced to the market at a significantly lower cost of USD 1.57/250g or around USD 6.29/kg.

Amongst imported strawberries, K-strawberries are the cheapest in the Thai market as the American strawberry price is about USD 10/250g while the Australian strawberry price is USD 8.57/250g.

Thailand: Korean Strawberries Are the Cheapest Imported Strawberries in Thailand in W1 2023 (Jan 6)

The price of Korean Strawberries in Thailand's Talad Thai Market has slightly climbed. In W52, the price stood at USD 7.14/250g, while in W1 of 2023, the price stood at USD 7.35/250g. Amongst imported strawberries, Korean strawberries are the cheapest in the Thai market. The selling prices are as follows:

American strawberries: USD 10.45/250g

Australian strawberries: USD 8.96/250g

The price of local strawberries in W1 2022, stood at USD 7.46/kg.