W45: Weekly Berry Update
Blueberry
Europe: Blueberry Prices Are Falling Due to the Large Influx of Peruvian Blueberries
The blueberry market in Europe is under extreme pressure caused by the arrival of large volumes of blueberries, mostly from Peru. Peru has sent at least 45% more blueberries to Europe compared to last season, which has negatively affected the prices at which this product is marketed. On Friday, November 4, prices for Biloxi variety blueberries ranged from USD 5.50/box (12 x 125 g/box), and for fruit packed in bulk, the price stood at USD 3.50/kg. Along with a greater number of volumes shipped to the EU, European consumption has decreased due to the reluctance of the final consumer to buy blueberries that can be considered a high-end product. This situation has slowed down sales, adding even more pressure to the situation, which is expected to last until at least the end of November.
Peru: The Top Global Exporter of Blueberries in 2022
Peru will continue to be the world’s main exporter of blueberries in 2022 for the fourth year in a row, as reported by Andina, based on projections by the Association of Peruvian Exporters (Adex). In 2021, Peruvian blueberry exports reached $1.221 billion, reflecting a 172 percent increase of the previous year. Pumasunco explained that expectations for the current year are based on good performance in the season thus far and the distance created from the second largest blueberry exporter (Spain), whose share is half of what Peru has recorded. Vanegas explained that the current performance of blueberry exports is the result of 10 years of investments.
Peru: The World’s Leading Blueberry Exporter, Faces Sustainability Challenges
The continued growth of the Peruvian blueberry contrasts with the situation in neighboring Chile, its main competitor in the region. Only between January and August 2022 there was a 6% drop in exports compared to the previous period, according to its Office of Agrarian Studies and Policies (ODEPA). The differences between the two nations are due in part to the logistical difficulties that Chilean producers have faced in recent times, according to Christian Seydewitz, senior vice president for Chile at transport company Hapag Lloyd. “There is a serious lack of space on the ships that drives the increase in prices and the current scenario,” he told Portal Frutícola. Other factors that contributed to the development of the sector were the greater genetic development of varieties and favorable climatic conditions for production. "The climate of the producing areas is quite temperate, which ensures good quality and provides precooked (early blueberry production).
The international agreements that the country has have also been important to be able to encourage exports. The National Agrarian Health Service of Peru (Senasa) has been important in opening new markets," noted Vega. These drivers have made it possible for the Peruvian blueberry to reach various continents and begin to position itself in countries such as China, a large producer of the fruit. According to Proarándanos estimates, at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, China had a 12% share, ranking third. In the 2022/23 campaign, it is estimated that the Asian country will represent 14% of shipments in volume, three percentage points more than in the 2019/20 campaign. While seeking to grow more and meet the demand of new consumers, the Peruvian blueberry industry faces challenges to remain sustainable, in terms of water scarcity, maintaining prices and complying with labor regulations.
In the midst of greater international competition, Peruvian agro-exporters have sought to differentiate themselves by being more efficient with their costs and investing in more sustainable technology at the same time. “We have a lot of organic blueberries and we are trying to innovate in terms of organic fertilization. We are strengthening the laboratory,” says Lira from Cerro Prieto, who also points out that in 2021, the company he represents agreed to financing US$160 million to strengthen its sustainable model.
Peru: Fresh Blueberry Shipments Would Reach Close to 300 Thousand Tons for USD 1,500 Million
In the May 2022/April 2023 campaign, Peruvian exports of fresh blueberries would be close to 300 thousand tons for a value close to US$ 1,500,000,000, which will represent an increase of 36.3% in volume and 17% in value, compared to the 220 thousand tons shipped for US$ 1,278,267,877 in the previous campaign (2021/2022). Fernando Cillóniz Benavides indicated that so far this campaign (May-October) shipments of fresh blueberries reached 153,228,933 kilos for US$ 843,725,006, showing an increase in volume of 31% compared to what was shipped in the same period of the previous campaign 2021/2022. He pointed out that they have already exceeded the peak of the campaign that is recorded in the months of September and October, where 70,658,254 kilos and 70,471,651 kilos were exported, respectively, when in the previous campaign shipments amounted to 58,108,202 kilos in September and 57,608,186 kilos in October.
US: Peruvian Blueberries Imports
Peruvian blueberries imports through Philadelphia and New York City area ports of entry are expected to decrease as few growers are finished for the season that is past its peak. Trading is moderate with prices unchanged for flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 12.00-16.00, 6-ounce large mostly 10.00-12.00. Movement of blueberries through Arizona, California and Texas are expected to be about the same. Trading is slow and prices slightly lower for Flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids large, mostly 8.00. Peru imports of blueberries through Southern California ports of entry movement expected to decrease as few growers due to the end of season and trading is expected to be moderate with prices unchanged where flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 13.00-16.00.
Poland: Blueberries Break Records, in October, 10 Million Consumers Ate Them
Blueberry ends the season with 10 million consumers in October alone. Consumption studies have been carried out for 2 years. During this period, no other species in Poland, fruit and vegetables, can boast such a high growth. Compared to October 2020, blueberry has gained 35%, or 2.6 million new consumers. The most popular berries in October were blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. Blueberry closes the season with 10 million consumers in October.
Ukraine: Despite the War, the Blueberry Export Broke the Record in 2022
According to EastFruit analysts , despite the invasion of the Russian occupation forces, their damage to part of the plantations in the central and northern regions of the country, and generally incredibly difficult conditions, Ukrainian gardeners in 2022 were able to increase the volume of blueberry exports to record levels in history! The total export of fresh blueberries from Ukraine in 2022 exceeded 2.5 thousand tons, increasing one and a half times compared to 2021. The previous record of blueberry exports from Ukraine, achieved in 2019, was exceeded by 11%. And this, despite the fact that in 2022 there was no supply of blueberries from Ukraine to Belarus, which, until this year, was one of the main sales markets for Ukrainian blueberries.
Georgia: End of Blueberry Export Season
The blueberry export season came to an end, and in August this berry was practically not exported from the country. It should be noted that in June-July this year Georgia managed to set a new record in the supply of blueberries, and in July exports were almost twice as high as last year. Russia continued to be the main market for Georgian blueberries with a 93% share of total exports.
Strawberry
Spain: The First Strawberries Sold for 10 Euros
The first strawberries of the season are already on sale at the Huelva market and are close to mind-boggling figures. The fruits are marketed around 10 euros per kilogram, a record price compared to the average price range. These are still small batches of fruit grown 'in pots' and planted in mid-September while the real winter season IS yet to begin. Early strawberries planted in October will start harvesting around mid-December and the production rate will increase until the end of the campaign scheduled for the end of May.
Belgium: Middle Price for Strawberries Rose for the Second Week in a Row
The middle price for strawberries rose for the second week in a row. A kilo yielded an average of 4.64 euros where Elsanta went for an average of 4.89 euros. The price is back at the five-year average and is rising in line with the five-year average.
South Korea: Jeollanam-Do Gangjin Strawberry Coming Out in November
Strawberries in Gangjin have a faster harvest time due to the development of cultivation technology and boast a unique fragrance and sweet taste. Strawberries in Gangjin, where harvest has begun, are expected to gain popularity due to their good growth conditions such as fertilization, fruiting and good growing conditions. An official from Gangjin-gun said on the 13th noted that Gangjin has a geographical advantage, with an average winter temperature of 2 degrees or more and more than 20 hours of sunshine during shipment compared to other regions. Cultivated varieties are mainly Seolhyang, Kingsberry, and Mary Queen. 88 farms in the area participate in the cultivation where the area is about 32.6ha. The vitamin C contained in 100g of strawberries is 71mg, which is higher than that of lemon (52mg) hence equivalent to the average daily vitamin C requirement of 75mg. The anthocyanin pigment that gives strawberries their red color is known to have anticancer and vision recovery effects.
Poland: Strawberries Consumers
The most popular berries in October were blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. Blueberry closes the season with 10 million consumers in October. This is another historical record of the genre. At that time, raspberries were eaten by 9.7 million, strawberries by 6.5 million, and blackberries by 5.8 million Poles. Minikiv is next, with 5.2 million consumers.
Chile: SAG Authorizes More Than 7 Million Plants Free of Strawberry Nematodes
After the sampling and analysis carried out in nurseries contaminated by the strawberry nematode (Aphelenchoides fragariae), the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) authorized the sale of more than 7 million plants of the variety Monterey. This was after verifying the absence of the pest due to application of phosphine treatment. This release of healthy plants is the third to be carried out in recent weeks, and corresponds to 13.5% of the strawberry plants that the Service kept withheld, whose total volume corresponds to 52 million. The first authorization was at the end of October, when the restriction on 3,660,000 million strawberry plants for marketing was lifted.
With the release of 12 million healthy plants by the SAG and the reassignment of $2,000 million for farmers affected by the strawberry nematode ( Aphelenchoides fragariae ), the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirms its commitment to the affected producers as soon as to offer all its support to deal with this complex situation and thus minimize economic losses as much as possible. It should be noted that the SAG during this week will carry out a resampling of the batches that are still positive despite treatment with phosphine, in order to release those that are negative as soon as possible, and in addition, more than 13 million treated plants will be sampled. In parallel, the Sanitary Service advances with maximum speed in the authorization process of propagation material production centers abroad, in order to import strawberry plants to Chile from other countries, expanding supply possibilities. In the SAG, meanwhile, work continues with the aim of guaranteeing the health of the material that producers will have to start their crops, safeguarding its quality by being free of the plague. This is part of what is established by plant health regulations and plant nurseries and warehouses, where it is indicated that nurseries must sell healthy and pest-free plants.
Raspberry
Italy: Raspberry Consumption Is on the Rise Leading To More Domestic Production
The emphasis on health-related products has changed the purchasing behavior of many Italian consumers. This includes raspberries, which are rising in popularity due to a trend in food health awareness. As a result, over the last three years, Italy has experienced an increase in the import quantity of raspberries as well as a dramatic increase in domestic production. Raspberry production increased 59.6% YoY from 1,800MT in 2020 to 2,950MT in 2021, and prices dropped from USD 15.00/kg in 2020 to USD 12.00/kg in 2021. However, the recent supply chain disruptions in Italy, pushed the price of Italian-grown raspberries up to USD 17.00/kg. In W45, the Italian wholesale market offered imported raspberries from Morocco at USD 14.00/kg and from Portugal at USD 15.5/kg, with the Portuguese origin having greater demand among consumers. Additionally, the average price for 125g of raspberries in small plastic boxes is USD 2.45, mostly sold in discount retailers and supermarkets.
UK: Raspberries See Largest Price Increase This Week
The average wholesale prices in England and Wales had a big increase in prices for raspberries this week. From 4,78 pounds to an even 10 pounds, meaning a 109% increase. Strawberries had the price decrease. The soft fruit is now 12% cheaper than last week.
