Premium blueberry varieties gain pricing power in Peru as growers weigh replacement strategies

Speaking to Blueberries Consulting, Pablo Cortés, Sales Manager of Agronometrics, said the new analysis goes beyond traditional market tracking of volumes and average prices by focusing specifically on how individual blueberry varieties are performing commercially in Peru.

According to Cortés, the study is based on export data from SUNAT, Peru’s customs and tax authority. After cleaning and processing the data, Agronometrics was able to compare the market behavior of standard and premium varieties and identify a widening commercial gap between the two categories.

“One of the most significant findings is that premium varieties have been increasing their market presence,” Cortés said, noting that their export volumes have expanded steadily over the last five to six seasons. At the same time, standard varieties are gradually losing prominence, pointing to a clear shift in Peru’s varietal structure.

The difference is even more visible in pricing. Cortés said that throughout the seasons analyzed — and especially in the most recently completed 2024/25 season — premium varieties recorded FOB prices above the overall average in every month evaluated. Standard varieties, by contrast, remained below average for much of the period.

In the 2024/25 season alone, the price gap reached as much as US$2.28 per kg in favor of premium varieties, underlining what Cortés described as a powerful market signal.

“What we’re seeing is that the end consumer is recognizing higher-quality fruit and, in a way, rewarding it,” he explained. “They prefer it and are willing to pay more for it.”

For Peru’s blueberry industry, the findings could become increasingly relevant as producers assess the long-term competitiveness of their orchards. While Cortés stressed that the study evaluates price performance rather than total profitability, he said it already offers valuable insight into which varieties are achieving the strongest commercial response in export markets.

As a result, the data could play an important role in future varietal replacement decisions, particularly at a time when the global blueberry business is becoming more quality-driven and increasingly sensitive to fruit attributes such as flavor, appearance, firmness, and consistency.

Cortés emphasized that varietal change should not be seen as a threat, but rather as a sign of market evolution. In his view, consumers are clearly communicating what they value, while breeding companies are responding with genetics designed to meet that demand.

Agronometrics plans to continue expanding the study in order to better track varietal cycles over time — including how long a variety remains in the premium category and when it begins to lose its commercial edge. At present, the dataset represents close to 20% of the market, but the company aims to broaden coverage further, potentially by complementing SUNAT data with information from SENASA and increasing automation in data processing.

The report is available free of charge through the Agronometrics website, where industry participants can also access updates and public information on varietal differentiation.

For Peru’s blueberry sector, the message from the market is becoming harder to ignore: premium varieties are not only gaining share, but also capturing a sustained price advantage that could reshape planting decisions in the seasons ahead.

03-24-2026
Source: Eastfruit.com