The Argentinean Blueberry Committee (ABC) has announced several changes that will overhaul how its members are chosen and the way the entity interacts with regional representatives.

ABC manager Inés Peláez said the committee had made the shift in a bid to achieve better representation within the sector, reducing the required minimum annual export levels for members from 500 metric tons (MT) to 250MT.

"In this way there will be more members that can participate actively in the Board of Directors," she said.

The committee has also created an Advisory Council that will comprise of regional blueberry grower associations from all over Argentina.

Peláez said the council would provide a channel for the productive sector's voice, while the ABC would also have an "important modification" to incorporate the industrial sector.

"Industrial activity becomes more important every day," she said.

The country's frozen blueberry exports have shown steady growth between 2006 and 2011, rising from 1,320MT to 5,554MT. Last year the category rose 59% year-on-year.

Fresh blueberry exports also rose significantly over the period, from 5,817MT in 2006 to 15,532MT in 2011. However, the growth rate was slightly lower last year at 3.9%.

The average price reached for a kilogram of Argentine blueberries last year was US$2.30, compared to US$2.70 in 2010.

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