The Chilean Blueberry Committee has announced the U.S. West Coast was the largest growth market for exports during the 2010-11 season, with volumes rising 63% to 18,800 metric tons (MT).

While the growth rate in blueberry exports to the U.S. East Coast was lower at 35%, the region was still by far the largest destination market with volumes of 39,500MT.

Total blueberry exports for the season rose 39% to 63,900MT, with an uptick in shipments to Europe and Asia as well.

The committee recorded growth rates of 26% and 45% for Hong Kong and Japan respectively, while sales to the Netherlands grew by 45%.

In contrast, Chile's largest European Union blueberry market  the U.K. recorded just 3% growth, despite a television campaign in England carried out by Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee attributed much of the European growth to marketing activities in Germany and Denmark.

Chilean Blueberry Committee/ edited by www.freshfruitportal.com