U.S. fruit company Giumarra expects higher year-on-year volumes for the Chilean blueberry deal in 2012-13, with the first vessels scheduled for the week of Dec. 3.

Giumarra International berry general manager Tom Richardson said his company was look forward to the upcoming Chilean blueberry season, with a complete Nature's Partner program of the fruit from the Southern Hemisphere.

"Our sourcing team works continuously to ensure we have adequate supply, and our volumes will exceed last year’s," he said in a release.

"The fresh blueberry category continues to be very profitable for our customers as consumption drives demand."

The distributor also forecasts an increase in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic blueberries from Chile this year, with shipments due to go from mid-December through April.

"We have ample organic supplies for customers interested in a program," Richardson said.

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