Peru’s desert blueberries find a new route to Asia

Blueberries are now thriving in one of Peru’s driest regions — the Pisco Desert — thanks to new heat-tolerant varieties like Eureka Sunset. These plants no longer need cool nights and are flourishing 250 km south of Lima, in areas once used mainly for grapes. While Peruvian blueberries have been on U.S. supermarket shelves for over a decade, producers are now eyeing China as a major new market, according to local media.

With the U.S. involved in global trade disputes, Peru is looking to diversify its exports, especially as blueberry production keeps rising. A new port near Lima has also cut shipping time across the Pacific in half, making Asia more accessible. Local producers note that exports will soon be more evenly spread across multiple destinations.

The Pisco Desert, once focused on grape farming for Pisco brandy, is now a hub for berries. Farmers tap groundwater from deep wells and rely on local labor to maintain the crops in this challenging terrain.

source: agraria.pe

photo: blueberriesconsulting.com