The China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Products, and Animal By-Products (CFNA) is driving growth in the Chinese blueberry market, fueled by new varieties and rising sales opportunities. To support this, the CFNA established its first Blueberry Committee, including key international companies like Camposol, Agrovision, Agroberries, Driscoll’s, Fall Creek, and PLANASA, alongside local growers and breeders, including Giddings Fruit.
Gonzalo Matamala, General Manager of Giddings Fruit APAC & Mainland China, announced the committee’s formation, emphasizing blueberries’ potential to become a flagship export product. “China’s blueberry industry is expanding, with more producers, growing acreage, and earlier harvests narrowing the window for imports,” he noted. He added that domestic demand may eventually prompt opportunities for exports, mirroring trends in apples and grapes.
Challenges and Industry Growth
The rapid growth of China’s blueberry production is impacting exporters, with earlier harvests affecting Southern Hemisphere supply windows, particularly from Peru and Chile. Major producers like Agrovision and Hortifrut are now investing in local production, recognizing the challenges of competing with high-quality, cost-effective Chinese blueberries.
Quality Standards and Market Expansion
CFNA’s recent meeting on Nov. 25 brought together key players to discuss quality concerns and establish standards to ensure international competitiveness. Participants explored lessons from industries like cherries, where a unified strategy boosted success. Matamala stressed the importance of promoting blueberries responsibly, particularly to untapped domestic markets.
Regional Dynamics and Opportunities
Blueberry production growth extends beyond China, with development projects in India also reshaping the market. Matamala highlighted the need to explore alternative markets like Japan and South Korea, which are less receptive to Chinese fruit compared to Southeast Asia. He also noted that advancements in post-harvest technology in China could further disrupt traditional export dynamics.
With top-tier genetics and strengthened legal frameworks, China is well-positioned to reshape the global blueberry industry, creating both opportunities and challenges for Southern Hemisphere exporters.
Southern Hemisphere Market Options
Matamala emphasized the need to explore alternative markets, especially in northern Asia, like Japan and South Korea, which are less receptive to Chinese fruit. In contrast, Southeast Asian markets, with lower price thresholds, remain more open, fueling fierce competition between Chile and Peru in these rapidly growing regions.
He noted that Chinese blueberries are now of high quality, featuring updated varieties and advanced genetics. “With improved legal frameworks and strong backing, China is poised to make a significant impact in this segment,” he added.
Peru’s Competitive Edge
Matamala highlighted the Peruvian blueberry industry’s exceptional achievement in varietal replacement, which has revolutionized the sector. “This transformation has positioned Peru as a top-quality producer, with demand spanning from Indonesia to the United States,” he stated.
In contrast, Chile has also pursued varietal replacement, though progress has been slower. Matamala noted that China has the potential to replicate Peru’s swift transformation, with new plantings yielding marketable production within a year.
“For Chile, the situation is becoming increasingly challenging, especially as other origins continue to compete during overlapping production windows,” he added.
He also pointed out that China’s advancements in post-harvest technology could significantly extend the availability of local fruit, potentially reshaping market dynamics with Peru. As China focuses on developing new markets, it is poised to compete directly with both Peruvian and Chilean exports.
Chile’s Challenges