Peruvian blueberry exports have been forecast at 76,000 metric tons (MT) this season - which would mark a substantial 60% year-on-year rise.

The figure was given to Fresh Fruit Portal by ProArandanos general manager Sergio del Castillo, who said that last season 47,000MT were exported, which in itself represented more than a doubling from the 2016-17 campaign.

By contrast, Chile last season exported 107,000MT.

Del Castillo said the Peruvian industry body had already established export forecasts for each market. The distribution would remain similar to last year, with the only notable difference being a sharp increase to China, where Peruvian blueberry shippers began exporting for the first time last year.

He said 46% would be sent to the U.S. and Canada, 26% to Europe, 15% to China and 13% to Russia. 

The season officially gets underway at the beginning of August, he added.

Chilean market open for Peruvian blues

Another development this season is the recent access to the Chilean market, although it is unlikely major volumes will ever be sent there due to the country's large domestic production and proximity of its season to Peru's.

Del Castillo said there are not yet any forecast estimates for the new market, explaining that exporters are currently exploring the market opportunities there.

He said that, as with the U.S. market, the fresh fruit must be fumigated at origin prior to export to Chile.

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