W29: Blueberry Update

In W29 in the blueberry landscape, the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) held its inaugural Summit in Poland from July 3 to 6, 2023. Presentations included projections of 2 million tons of blueberry production for 2024, a shift towards higher-quality blueberries, and insights into the Chinese blueberry market. The gathered data will be presented in the IBO Global State of Blueberry Industry report, which is set for publication on Aug-23.

Peru's 2023/24 blueberry export campaign has experienced a 9% decline in volume compared to the previous season due to atypical climate conditions caused by the El Niño phenomenon. The United States is the main export destination, with La Libertad being the most productive region. The Ventura blueberry variety has been particularly affected by the climate, leading to delays in production. While volume recovery is expected, the current season may see a 10% to 15% decrease in export volume. Furthermore, the warmer temperatures in Peru, potentially signaling the onset of the El Niño weather phenomenon, are causing delays in the harvest of blueberries. Producers and exporters in the La Libertad region report that early blueberry harvests are four to five weeks late due to the heat. Despite the delays, growers keep supplying blueberries to the market, taking advantage of limited early-season supply. However, the impending El Niño phenomenon poses a concern as it may bring even higher temperatures in autumn and winter, further affecting crop growth.

Huelva, Spain, 2022/23 blueberry campaign concluded with a total production of 53.19 short tons (tons), a 10% decrease compared to the previous season. The reduced production was due to delayed cold temperatures affecting crop growth and competition from other countries, particularly Morocco, leading to oversupply and lower market prices. Despite the decrease in production, blueberry exports increased by 1.27% until May, reaching nearly USD 242.33 million (EUR 219 million). On the other hand, the average price of blueberries stood at USD /kg (PLN 12-16/kg) in Poland. However, it is anticipated that the price will decrease soon.

Blueberry prices in Ukraine have experienced a significant drop week-on-week (WoW), concerning market participants who anticipated a higher berry harvest. Blueberry prices stood at USD 3.4/kg, nearly half the usual price for this time of year. In 2022, prices were almost three times higher, but this year, prices are forecasted to drop even further, potentially reaching below USD 2.4-2.5/kg. This decline may open up a new market segment for frozen blueberries, previously absent in Ukraine. Lastly, Georgian blueberry producers achieved record-breaking results, harvesting 3 thousand tons of berries and quadrupling exports during the main season. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) agriculture program played a crucial role in supporting farmers and facilitating exports to the European Union (EU) countries and will continue to support growers beyond Mar-24, aiming to increase blueberry exports to the EU market in the coming year.