24.1% decline in Chilean blueberry exports

The volume of Chilean blueberries exports both fresh and frozen until December 26, 2021 decreased 24.1% compared to the same date in 2020, according to data from the Chilean Blueberry Committee.

 

The decline was caused by the extension of the maritime transit time because many farmers were more rigorous with the selection of the fruit, exporting only that which was able to keep good condition throughout the long journey.

 

The lack of manpower in ports due to sanitary reasons and the rise in demand for products during quarantines resulted in bottlenecks of ships in ports around the globe. Logistical problems impacted the availability of containers, increasing their price. Difficulties and the cost of ocean deliveries increased the demand for air cargo, in turn raising freight rates.

 

Along with the danger of the loss of fruit quality due to long waits, these reasons have caused the Chilean frozen blueberry market to expand. Until November 21, 2021, the export of this frozen berry had grown by 9% compared to the same period in 2020. The figure is expected to increase in 2022 after the signing of new international agreements that facilitate exports to China.

 

The volume of Chilean blueberries exported is projected to peak during the last week of December 2021 and the first 2 weeks of January 2022, driven by production in the Central-South zone. During the Christmas week, the Central-North zone represented 59 percent of the volume of blueberries exported, followed by the Central-South zone with 44 percent, and the South with 5 percent.

 

In the same term, more than 70% of the exported blueberry was of the Blue Ribbon and Duke varieties. Its main destinations were Europe (49.6%), the US (37.1%) and Asia (10.1%).

 

 

 

 

 

 

source:blueberriesconsulting