Agronometrics Shorts: Peru and Mexico’s Blueberry Boom

When Carlos Gereda brought some blueberries back to Peru from Chile in 2006, he initiated an unforeseen chain of events. His intention was simply to experiment with their growth in his homeland, unaware that this venture would catalyze Peru’s ascension to becoming the world’s leading exporter of blueberries. In just over ten years, Peru has emerged as a dominant force in the berry market, fueled by a combination of favorable climate and astute entrepreneurship. The surge in Peru’s blueberry production and exports was bolstered by investments from prominent fruit processors within the country. Gereda imported 14 varieties of blueberry plants from Chile and found that four of them flourished in Peruvian soil. This resulted in a remarkable increase in production, skyrocketing from a mere 30 tonnes in 2010 to over 180,000 tonnes annually. The blueberry industry now generates a staggering $1 billion in revenue per year for Peru. Gereda’s foresight about Peru’s climate being conducive to blueberry cultivation yielded positive results, supported by the country’s favorable climate. When it comes to Mexico, climate change has played an important role in the country’s emergence as a berry powerhouse, with altered climatic patterns allowing for blueberry cultivation throughout autumn, winter, and spring seasons. Berry exports contribute a substantial $3 billion annually to Mexico’s economy, ranking as the country’s third most valuable food export, even surpassing the combined value of tequila and mezcal. According to the 2023 Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report, total global production for blueberries is projected to reach 2,622 (000) MT by 2025.

Written by: Sarah Ilyas