Chile projects 1% rise in fresh blueberry exports for 2025–2026

The Blueberry Committee of Frutas de Chile has released its forecast for the 2025–2026 fresh blueberry export season, projecting a 1% increase in export volumes compared to last year. The estimate continues the recovery seen in 2024–2025, when exports grew by 5% after four consecutive seasons of decline.

According to Andrés Armstrong, Executive Director of the Blueberry Committee, the most significant trend this season remains the transformation of the varietal mix. Exports of new or replacement varieties are expected to rise by 67%, while traditional varieties will decline by 17%. As a result, replacement varieties will account for 35% of total shipments, up from 21% last season.

Armstrong highlighted that this shift responds to growing global competition and the need to offer blueberries with better flavour, quality, and consistency, supported by advanced postharvest technologies and logistics to ensure faster and fresher deliveries to key destinations.

The industry expects an earlier start in the earliest production regions, with the peak of exports between weeks 51 and 3, which remains within Chile’s typical shipping window for fresh blueberries.

Meanwhile, the frozen blueberry segment continues to expand, driven by higher post-pandemic consumption. This category offers a strategic outlet for traditional varieties that are losing competitiveness in the fresh market.

In total, combining fresh and frozen products, Chile is projected to export over 161,000 tonnes of blueberries, representing a 2% year-on-year increase.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: fruitsfromchile.com