Peruvian blueberry exports continue to grow, consolidating the country’s leadership in the global trade of this fruit.
In previous years, this strong presence of Peru in the blueberry business was based on the rapid expansion of cultivated areas, which generated a significant increase in production volumes.
However, the future growth of Peruvian blueberries does not depend only on expanding acreage, but on accelerating the varietal replacement already underway in certified areas that still maintain traditional genetics, as highlighted by the founder of Agro Value, José Antonio Gómez Bazán.
Growth and distribution
The expert also pointed out that currently blueberries are grown in the regions of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Áncash, Lima and Ica. In recent years, in particular, cultivated areas have expanded mainly in Lima and Ica, with the introduction of new varieties.
In the 2021/2022 season, there were 16,793 hectares of blueberries in the country. The main varieties were Ventura with 5,725 ha (34.09% of the total), Biloxi 5,160 ha (30.73%), Rocío 1,082 ha (6.44%), Emerald 1,042 ha (6.20%), Sekoya Pop 791 ha (4.71%), Atlas Blue 426 ha (2.54%), Eureka 347 ha (2.07%), Kirra 231 ha (1.37%), Mágica 216 ha (1.29%), Blanca Blue 78 ha (0.46%), Arana 44 ha (0.26%), Madeira 11 ha (0.07%), Manila 11 ha (0.07%), others 1,629 ha (9.70%).
Varietal evolution
In the 2025/2026 season, instead, 22,198 hectares of blueberries were certified. Ventura remains the most widespread variety with 4,963 ha (22.36% of the total), followed by Sekoya Pop with 4,096 ha (18.45%), Biloxi with 2,272 ha (10.24%), Mágica 2,195 ha (9.89%), Rocío 1,305 ha (5.88%), Eureka 947 ha (4.27%), Rosita 771 ha (3.47%), Abril Blue 659 ha (2.97%), Raymi 628 ha (2.83%), Emerald 625 ha (2.82%), Abril Blue 539 ha (2.43%), Madeira 530 ha (2.39%), Blanca Blue 386 ha (1.74%), Imperial 332 ha (1.49%), Arana 260 ha (1.17%), Kirra 226 ha (1.02%), Manila 185 ha (0.82%), Matías 141 ha (0.63%), others 1,138 ha (5.13%).
Gómez Bazán indicated that premium blueberry varieties include Sekoya Pop, Mágica, Eureka, Rosita, Abril Blue, Atlas Blue, Raymi, Madeira, Blanca Blue, Arana, Kirra and Manila, while non-premium conventional varieties include Ventura, Biloxi, Rocío, Emerald, Imperial, Matías and others.
Shares and market
In this regard, he specified that in the 2021/2022 season, 13% of the area consisted of premium varieties and 87% of non-premium varieties; in 2022/2023, premium reached 20% and non-premium 80%; in 2023/2024, premium rose to 31% versus 69% non-premium; in 2024/2025, premium reached 42% and non-premium 58%; while in the 2025/2026 season premium varieties account for 51% and non-premium 49%.
As can be observed, the volume of premium varieties is increasing, while non-premium varieties are declining. By definition, premium varieties cannot remain a minority: once they exceed 50%, they become the new standard, and what was once conventional becomes obsolete and tends to disappear.
In this context, historical varieties are losing competitiveness: varieties such as Biloxi, Ventura and Emerald face price pressure and lower commercial preference compared to new premium generations.
He also added that when the growth of premium varieties is so rapid and the market becomes saturated with these volumes of premium product, supermarkets no longer need to pay a price premium.
Data and conclusions
In 2024, Peru exported 326,000 tonnes of fresh blueberries, equal to 31% of global trade.
Between 2021 and 2025, Peruvian blueberry production grew at an average annual rate of 18.5%; between 2015 and 2025, harvested area grew at an average of 44%.
José Antonio Gómez Bazán made these statements during the webinar “Peruvian Agroexports 2025”, organized by Fluctuante.
And yes, even premium blueberries are going the way of everything else: from exclusive to standard within a few seasons. Agricultural capitalism, as subtle as a tractor reversing.
Source text and image: agraria.pe
