In Germany there is currently a mostly good demand for blueberries at a higher price level than in previous years, some producers of blueberries are satisfied. However, another part will not be able to compensate for the somewhat significantly lower yields, mainly due to frost damage.
Although the peak of the blueberries season already passed last week and quantities are slowly decreasing, the last harvests will continue until September. As expected, quantities in the first half of the season were lower than in the previous year due to frost damage, alternation and, in part, the lack or limited availability of seasonal workers.
Due to the scarce supply of German blueberries and the higher requirement costs for the current Covid-19 situation, the overall price level is higher than in 2019. On the German wholesale markets, average prices for the 31st week were around 30 per cent higher than last year, depending on pack sizes. Producer prices for food retail deliveries have recently risen by an average of around 20% compared to the previous year's prices.
Retail prices increased by only 15% compared to 2019 in week 31, with a significantly smaller increase than other trading levels. The reason for this is the high share of imports from Poland and Romania, which is currently putting pressure on the German market. While volumes from Romania are falling, deliveries from Poland will increase in the short term.
Demand for blueberries is buoyant despite rising price levels. Although penetration (% of consumers buying blueberries) remained slightly below the 2019 record year in some relevant weeks, many companies are still pleased with the relatively high demand.
