Top 10 Blueberry Producers in the World: 3 Latin American Countries in the Ranking

In the world there are 235 thousand hectares dedicated to the production of blueberries and three Latin American countries are in the Top 10 of the world ranking of producers.

Data from the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) indicate that China ranks as the world’s leading producer of blueberries by volume, and practically all the fruit is consumed in the country.

Following China by volume is the United States, but immediately after Peru, Chile and Mexico, respectively. Peru, which had already surpassed Chile in exports in 2020, relegated its competitor to fourth place in production in the 2021-2022 agricultural season, while Mexico surpassed Canada in the same period.

During the same period, China imported 29,590 tons of blueberries, mainly from Peru and Chile.

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Peru: the first in the region

With a production of 261,450 tons and one export of 87%, the Andean nation is positioned as one of the main producers in the world. In the 2021/22 period, its main destination was the United States with 124,450 metric tons, followed by the Netherlands with 52.89 and Hong Kong 17.34.

The industry has experienced exponential growth in recent years. According to data from the Exporters Associationthe country has experienced a 16-fold growth in the volume exported in less than a decade, going from 17.38 tons in 2013 to 275,830 tons in 2022.

The latest figures of Fresh Fruita company specialized in commercial intelligence for the agro-export sector, indicate that at the end of the campaign from April 2022 to June 2023, 286,650 tons were exported for a value of US$ 1,429 million.

Peru increases shipments of blueberries and avocados to China taking advantage of drought in Chile

Chile

The country went through a difficult season due to unexpected heat waves and excessive port congestion, according to the IBO report.

At present, Chile together with its neighbor Peru, account for more than 99% of China’s blueberry importstaking advantage of free trade agreements – they are not subject to a 15% tariff that all other exporters have to pay – and availability against the season.

The Chilean industry has also adapted to the competitive pressures of recent years with higher organic plantationswhich now constitute more than 20% of the country’s production in planted area.

However, exports of fresh organic blueberries from Chile saw a steeper drop of 24% in 2021/22, partly attributable to improved prices for frozen organics.

Mexico

With a total production of 85,100 tons during the last seasonthe Aztec nation is positioned within the greatest powers in the world of blueberries.
Located at the gates of the largest global market, the US, and with ideal weather conditions that have proven to be less volatile than other producing regions, Mexico’s industry has a comparative advantage that has only been amplified by the logistical problems that have plagued international supply chains.
Although it registers an increase in cost and scarcity in trucking options, the impact is minimal compared to the challenges associated with maritime and air cargo transport, which explains why Mexico has doubled down on its export approach to the US, moving from from 25,080 tons in the 2018/19 season to 45,500 tons in 2021/22.

Argentina

In fourth place in the region is Argentina, which last season had a production of 17,710 tonsof which it exported 3,610 to the United States, 1,770 to the Netherlands, and 750 to Germany.

Argentina pioneered the production of South American blueberries at the turn of the millennium. They soon saw Chile invade late in their season, but for a long time they were able to maintain a privileged position in foreign markets. This temporary advantage came to an end with the rise of Peru.

The country’s plantations have halved since 2008, but since so yields have increased substantially, organics have become most of the volume, and the relatively small operations in Argentina have embraced technology and vertical integration.

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Colombia and Ecuador

Both countries have a nascent industry. Although the coffee country still does not have such an important role in the region, it has become an emerging industry of interest, according to the IBO, due to its territorial proximity to the United States, its ability to produce the fruit throughout the year and also Considering the success it has had exporting other fruit crops such as avocados.

For now, it is laying the foundations to develop production with a view to establishing a more aggressive export program in the coming years. However, with a population of more than 50 million inhabitants, they have demonstrated sufficient demand to absorb the volumes that are being produced.

Unlike Colombia, which began in the 1980s with an incipient industry, Ecuador began in 2015. Both Ecuadorian and multinational companies are carrying out trials and tests with new varieties in order to satisfy the demand in foreign markets.