Colombian blueberry enters Canadian market

Colombia

Sunday 23 April 2023

The new phytosanitary access to Canada for Colombian blueberries adds to the list of other international markets to which the said fruit is exported, including the United States, Singapore, Guatemala, the European Union, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and others. (photo:agronegocios.co)

After several months of negotiations and technical meetings between the health authorities of Canada and Colombia, the access to the Canadian market was achieved for Colombian blueberries, according to the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canada's health authority, stated that the export of blueberries was authorized under a trial period, which all fresh temperate climate fruits entering Canada must comply with. Additionally, during the first fruit shipments, all cargoes will be inspected, and subsequently, inspection rates will be normalized; this is a standard procedure that Canada has to reinforce confidence during exports.

Colombia currently has a total area of approximately 550 hectares dedicated to blueberry cultivation, with a projection of over 1,000 hectares in the next five years.

This new phytosanitary access to Canada for Colombian blueberries adds to the list of other international markets to which the said fruit is exported, including the United States, Singapore, Guatemala, the European Union, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and others.

source: ica.gov.co