Latin American blueberries have maintained an edge over other origins
Blueberries continue to hold the largest share of India’s imported berries, with origins from the USA, Chile, Peru, and Poland gaining popularity in both fresh and frozen formats, says Manish Kumar Sharma, New Delhi‑based importer‑exporter at Best Fruit. He notes quality this season has been consistent so far, though prices are slightly higher owing to air-freight and crop issues, especially in the USA.
Peru and Chile supply nine out of every ten blueberries imported into India, a dominance Sharma attributes to their size, sweetness, and shelf life. “Poland and the USA are important sources, with Polish berries gaining traction for their competitive pricing and improved trade access,” he adds.
Sharma also highlights interest in sourcing new origins from Mexico, South Africa, and Ukraine: “Mexico offers excellent blueberries with long shelf life, while South Africa has strong potential for raspberries. Ukraine is also emerging with quality frozen berries at competitive rates,” he notes. However, challenges with freight, lack of direct sourcing networks, phytosanitary clearances, and inconsistent cold‑chain infrastructure in India have delayed progress,” he explains.
Smaller packaging formats are making blueberries more affordable and accessible to consumers, says Sharma. He notes that frozen blueberry packs are also gaining popularity for everyday use in smoothies, desserts, and baking. “The foodservice sector, particularly hotels and bakeries, is emerging as a high‑potential growth channel, with strong interest in incorporating blueberries into their offerings.”
“With India’s festival and wedding season approaching, we anticipate strong demand for berries in gifting and home use. If international suppliers can work closely with Indian importers to navigate duties, secure cold‑chain capacity, and maintain quality, India could see a much broader presence of imported berries in the next 12 months,” Sharma concludes.
08-14-2025
Source: Freshplaza.com
