W23: Blueberry Update

In W23 in the blueberry landscape, it was reported that Peruvian blueberry exports experienced a significant growth of 99% YoY in May 2023, the first month of the 2023/24 campaign. Proarándanos reported that exports increased from 790 tons in May 2022 to 1,574 tons in May 2023, nearly doubling the volume. The surge in exports was mainly driven by the growing demand from the United States, which saw a notable increase of 345%. Among the leading producing regions, Áncash had the highest growth with 387 tons, followed by Piura with 223 tons (compared to zero exports in the previous year's May) and La Libertad with an increase of 197 tons.

In the United States, climate change is impacting Michigan's blueberry industry, causing yield losses due to extreme weather events. Droughts in 2018 and 2022 decreased yields by up to 40%. Research by the Michigan State University Extension suggests using evaporative cooling through sprinklers or microsprinklers to create a favorable microclimate for better pollination and fruit growth. Running overhead irrigation for 15 minutes each hour can effectively reduce air temperatures. Also, it was reproted that Maine's wild blueberry harvest volume decreased by over 25% in 2022 to 77.5 million lbs. Despite the decline, it was still the third-most productive year since 2017. Drought affected production in some regions, but prices remained relatively high at around USD 0.72/lb, the highest since 2014. Challenges such as weather variability, market competition, and invasive pests continue to impact Maine's blueberry industry.

China has become the world's top blueberry grower and importer, surpassing the United States. Its production is expected to keep growing, with Yunnan province being the key region for blueberry cultivation. China imported most of its blueberries from Peru and Chile. Majiang County in Guizhou Province, China, is experiencing a boom in the blueberry industry. Over 5,666 hectares of blueberries are currently being harvested, contributing to the integration of agriculture and tourism in the region. This has led to increased employment and income for farmers involved in the industry. Also, the blueberry season in Ukraine is underway, with some farmers already harvesting their first crops at the end of May. The harvest started 10 days earlier than last year. Lastly, the first locally grown berries have been harvested in Belgium. In the Netherlands, blueberries are expected to be available later in June or early July. Dutch blueberry consumption has doubled in the past five years, and the Netherlands is a major supplier to Germany and Belgium.