This year it is estimated that Agroexportations Peruvians mark a record and reach US $ 13,500 million. Undoubtedly, the quality of these products has put Peru on the world radar, so the demand grows every year. Within this sector, the country has managed to become the first exporter of some foods, such as blueberry.
The so -called ‘blue gold’ has managed to conquer a series of international markets for being considered a “superfood”, that is, a food rich in nutrients and with great health benefits (see box).
Carlos Posada, Institutional Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Lima (CCL), said that this product began to gain more popularity for approximately five years; However, in the last two it has had a greater takeoff.
The United States is the main destination with approximately 55% of demand, but opportunities – for the representative of the CCL – are worldwide for the tendency to consume foods that provide more health benefits.
He even stressed that, although today the Asian market, China and Hong Kong are already reached, they still have a lot of potential for this food. For them, he pointed out that it is important to increase shipping capacity.
For outside
The blueberry is a fruit that is produced by stations and has freedom as the region with more production. Almost 90% of what is harvested goes abroad, according to the international trade specialist of the Ministry of Agrarian Development (Midagri) César Romero.
This year, the sown areas would reach up to 30,000 hectares, which would mean an increase with respect to the 26,600 hectares that were recorded two years ago. To learn more about the trade in this fruit, the representative of Midagri said that blueberry exports in 2024 reached 326,000 tons and assured that for the next few years it is aimed at exceeding 400,000 tons.
“In an international congress that took place in Mexico, where more than 300 companies in the world participated, it was concluded, among other things, that it is no longer just producing in greater volume, but to work in quality,” he said.
To achieve that goal, the Midagri specialist said that the blueberry varieties that exist must be sought, so that they are better suited to climate change and have greater performance, so that “a presentation of a size, flavor and color that people like” are produced.
“You have to work on genetic innovation, on the one hand, but, on the other, also try to work based on the needs and demands of the consumer. Those are the challenges,” he said.
Without alarms
This is a fruit that, in addition to bringing great health results, has managed to dodge the impact of US tariffs. The Head of Economic Studies and Commercial Intelligence of the Global Economy and Business Research Center (Hundred-adjex), Gabriel Arrieta, explained that to date there has been no damage to the Peruvian shipments of this fruit.
“We have seen in the first half of the year a slight fall, but it is not to light alarms. Every year we see a small reduction in shipments in the first part, because that first part is not a production and export window. In the second half we will see the recovery. More than 85% of the export is between July and December,” he added.
Gabriel Arrieta explained that approximately 123 Peruvian companies export blueberries to the world and considered that, in addition to China, New Zealand and Australia are markets with high potential.
“Blueberries are very beneficial”
The demand for blueberries worldwide responds to a series of benefits offered by this fruit. The nutritionist Marcie de la Torre explained to Peru21 that this food “is very beneficial for health”, mainly because of its high antioxidant content.
“They also provide vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that favor the well -being of adults and children. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and easy acceptance for their pleasant taste,” he said, and highlighted what are the main benefits of this food that conquers the world:
• They reinforce the immune system and help prevent common colds.
• Protect cells, avoiding premature aging,
• They improve blood circulation and strengthen the cardiovascular system.
• They favor memory and concentration.
• They help regulate blood glucose levels, avoiding sudden peaks.
The expert recalled that it is always advisable to consume them whole instead of making them juice, because she pointed out that it is the best way to take advantage of the fiber. To include them in the diets, it provided the following recommendations:
• As a snack between meals.
• Mixed with yogurt, oatmeal, salads or cereals.
• As a breakfast complement or desserts after lunch or dinner.
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