Peru's blueberry trade group Proarandanos has cut its export forecast again, now projecting around 366,000 tons for the 2026-27 season — 4.2% below its September estimate and 4.4% below last season's actual shipments. The catch: Peru has 15% more hectares under production than a year ago. El Niño's impact is proving far more severe than anticipated. Cumulative exports through week 38 were running 18.7% ahead of last year, masking a sharp recent reversal.
The next eight weeks are the real problem. Proarandanos projects 108,000 tons from week 39 onward — 31.2% below the same period last season. Instead of a volume peak, they're calling it a plateau at roughly 13,500 tons per week. Organic blueberry volumes are also expected to fall well short of last season's peak.
For U.S. buyers currently relying on Peruvian supply to carry berry programs through fall, this is a material gap. Watch for tightening availability and potential price pressure through November, particularly as California's domestic season has already wound down.