Blueberry growers across the Southern Hemisphere are preparing for what is expected to be a strong El Niño weather event, with potential implications for production volumes and timing in key export regions. Growers are actively adjusting their planning ahead of the season.
Southern Hemisphere blueberries — particularly from Peru and Chile — are a critical bridge supply for the U.S. market during the domestic off-season. A weather disruption of meaningful scale could tighten availability and push prices higher during a period when North American retail typically relies heavily on imports.
This is worth tracking closely given that Peru already shipped fewer blueberries this past season. If El Niño compounds existing supply pressure, the combination could create a tighter-than-expected import window heading into late 2026 and early 2027.