The 2025-2026 Chilean blueberry season closes with a 2,7% increase
The end of the season confirms the advance of new genetics in the export basket and a reorganization of markets, with Europe consolidating its leadership, adjustments in the United States due to the commercial context and signs of growth in Canada, Taiwan and Korea, in addition to a regional rebound in Argentina and Brazil.
Within the framework of the 2025-2026 season, the export of blueberries Chilean fresh produce exports closed with a cumulative volume of 92.900 tons, a figure 2,7% higher than the previous period. This was reported Andres Armstrong, executive director of Chilean Fruit Blueberry CommitteeThis figure exceeds the industry’s initial projections at the start of the shipping period.
The expert highlighted that this growth is explained by the 14% increase in new varieties. In contrast, traditional varieties registered a slight decrease of 1%, continuing the downward trend of the previous year.
“This reflects the transformation process that the industry is undergoing blueberries “From Chile, where the incorporation of new genetics is showing progress in export volumes and at the same time, restricting the supply of traditional varieties in the fresh market,” Frutas de Chile stated.
“The early arrival of domestic supply, coupled with production issues in other countries, created a gap in the market at the end of our season, allowing us to ship more fruit than expected of traditional varieties, which in a normal season would be frozen. For this reason, the Chilean season’s closing included fruit that arrived in less than ideal condition and doesn’t reflect what Chile is promoting,” commented Andrés Armstrong.
“Consumption continues to grow, largely due to the improved consumer experience offered by the new genetics, and we continue to move forward with the goal of bringing a more renewed offering to the market. At the close of exports, the new varieties represented 24% of total exports (the previous season it was 21%),” he added.
Regarding destinations, Europe emerged as the leading market with 46.768 tons, accounting for 50% of total shipments and achieving a 20% increase compared to the previous season. The Netherlands and England were the main markets within the region, with increases of 25% and 5%, respectively.
The United States, meanwhile, ranked second with a 37% share, despite facing a 13% decrease in volume due to tariffs and trade issues. The Canadian market, on the other hand, showed a solid increase of 32%.
Armstrong also mentioned Asia, where shipments fell 7% compared to last season, primarily driven by a decrease in shipments to China. However, Taiwan and Korea saw increases of 84% and 11%, respectively.
In the case of Latin America, exports showed a positive variation of 11,7% compared to the previous season; with Argentina (59%) and Brazil (19%) concentrating 88% of the total products moved to local markets.
“This reflects our strategy to resume promotional activities in Argentina and Brazil, not only because of the consumption potential these destinations offer, but also because of their proximity and complementarity,” Armstrong noted.
03-20-2026
Source: Blueberriesconsulting.com
