Peruvian blueberries led global exports: opportunities & challenges for 2025
In less than a decade, Peruvian blueberries have become one of the country’s top agricultural exports. With impressive growth in volume, value, and market diversification, Peru now leads the global supply of this high-demand fruit.
However, maintaining this leadership position requires ongoing adaptation to market shifts, overcoming climate-related challenges, and continuous innovation throughout the supply chain.
Growth of blueberry industry in Peru
After a challenging 2023 for the global berry industry, affected by both climate and logistics issues, Peru experienced a significant drop in its export volume.
Still, the reduced international supply led to a sharp rise in blueberry prices, which helped sustain the value of Peruvian exports—up 23% compared to 2022.
In 2024, Peru rebounded strongly, exporting a record 326,000 tons of blueberries, representing a 57% increase over 2023. The 2024/2025 season—which runs through April 2025—is projected to surpass 350,000 tons.
In terms of value, Peruvian blueberry exports exceeded $2.27 billion in 2024. This dramatic increase is largely due to the surge in average blueberry price, which rose from $4.60/kg in 2022 to over $8.50/kg in late 2023, even reaching $8.90/kg in January 2024.
This remarkable recovery has positioned blueberries from Peru not only as a volume leader but also as one of the most profitable fruits in the country’s agribusiness portfolio.
Key drivers behind the success of Peruvian blueberries
Several factors explain the strong global positioning of Peruvian blueberries:
- Strategic market window: Peru can supply fresh blueberries when other major producers are off-season, giving it access to higher prices and stronger demand.
- Ideal agroclimatic conditions: The Peruvian coast and highlands offer stable microclimates that enable nearly year-round production.
- Consistent quality: Peruvian blueberries are known for their quality, flavor, and compliance with international standards.
- Diversified export destinations: In 2024, 55% of exports went to the U.S., 21% to the Netherlands, and 9% to Hong Kong. Exports also increased to markets like India, Russia, Singapore, and the UAE, reflecting a solid market expansion strategy.
- Growing organic segment: Organic blueberries made up 11% of total exports, showing strong growth in a high-value niche.
Expanding opportunities for blueberries from Peru
Despite its global leadership, Peruvian blueberries still have room to grow. One of the biggest opportunities lies in value-added products, including organics, frozen blueberries, and functional blueberry-based goods.
There’s also untapped potential in emerging markets with rising purchasing power, where demand for healthy, high-quality fruits continues to increase.
Another high-potential area is varietal renewal. While Biloxi remains the dominant variety, there’s growing interest in introducing or developing proprietary cultivars with better climate resistance, higher yields, and improved shelf life—enhancing both productivity and commercial appeal.
Key challenges ahead for Peruvian blueberries
While the outlook is optimistic, the industry faces several challenges. One of the most pressing is climate variability. In recent years, Peru has been affected by both El Niño, with extreme heat and rainfall, and La Niña, often bringing drought conditions. These extreme weather patterns directly impact crop yields and fruit quality.
Another concern is the potential for oversupply as more producers—both domestic and international—invest in blueberries. Without proper planning and market differentiation, this could drive down the blueberry price and reduce profitability.
Other persistent challenges include the availability of skilled labor, access to timely financing, and the need for efficient, sustainable logistics—especially given the rising importance of traceability, sustainability, and phytosanitary compliance in key markets like the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
To sustain Peru’s leadership in the blueberry sector, continued investments in agronomic innovation, infrastructure, financial solutions, and market diversification will be critical.
Strengthening global success through strategic financing
The growth of Peruvian blueberries has been remarkable, but maintaining and scaling that success demands efficient, resilient operations—particularly against climate, logistics, and financial volatility.
This is where strategic financial solutions become essential. Pre-Season Financing provides working capital for critical needs during the production cycle—such as labor, inputs, and crop maintenance—without compromising cash flow. It also enables investment in infrastructure and technology to enhance productivity and fruit quality.
Meanwhile, Quick-Pay solution accelerate payment after product shipment, reducing waiting times and ensuring liquidity—especially important in long campaigns or when market conditions suddenly shift.
By leveraging these financial tools, blueberry growers can build a more predictable, sustainable business model that helps them stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global market.