Blueberry exporters in Chile and Peru are navigating a convergence of challenges: climate variability affecting crop consistency, evolving international trade conditions, and rising logistics costs. Industry specialist Fernando Martino highlighted fruit condition, firmness, shelf life, and logistics as the key pressure points shaping competitiveness.
Chile and Peru are two of the most important blueberry origins for the North American market, particularly during the winter counter-season. Quality and timing issues out of either country have direct effects on U.S. retail availability and pricing during the months when domestic supply is absent.
With El Niño forecasts already raising flags for Peruvian production and Chilean exporters managing their own seasonal risks, buyers planning winter blueberry programs should be building contingency sourcing options and staying close to their supply partners on crop condition updates.