According to Technical Manager of Vison’s S.A.C, Guillermo Parodi, sales of Peruvian blueberries surpassed €85 million last year, and could grow to nearly triple that figure in 2016.
Speaking to FreshPlaza.es, he explained that because the South American country can grow blueberries all year round, it can produce a constant supply of this usually seasonal fruit.
Parodi noted that another key Latin American blueberry producer, Chile, begins harvest in November, when Peru "is already halfway through.”
"Peru offers the fruit when the Northern Hemisphere is not producing, but still needs it," he explained.
Around half of Peruvian blueberry exports are to the US, while roughly 30 per cent go to Europe.
The remaining exports are shared between Asia and Central America.
Peru’s blueberry producers are now looking to strengthen the fruit’s position in the Chinese market.
The sector also aims to further develop the production of organic blueberry varieties, which have been identified as having high growth potential across global markets.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Gabriela Guédez. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
