Peru's New Crop Season Sees Blueberry Production Hit Record High, Exports to China Expected to Surge Significantly
According to FASLima's forecast, Peru's blueberry industry will welcome another bumper year in the 2025/26 crop season, with production and export volumes expected to reach new heights. In terms of production, Peru's blueberry output is projected to reach a record 355,000 tons, representing a 4% year-on-year increase. Over the past decade, Peru's blueberry cultivation area has experienced explosive growth. In 2012, Peru's blueberry planting area was just 80 hectares, and now it has surged to 20,500 hectares, with an average annual growth rate of 65%.
The large-scale expansion of planting areas has laid a solid foundation for production growth. In Peru, blueberry cultivation costs per hectare range from $30,000 to $150,000, with recent project average costs around $65,000 to $80,000. Despite high initial investments, investors often recover their investments within just two years due to the industry's efficient operations. High returns have attracted substantial investments, which have been directed into modernized irrigation systems, advanced greenhouse technologies, and precise fertilization management, greatly enhancing blueberry production efficiency and quality. It is expected that in the 2026/27 crop year, Peru's blueberry harvested area will reach 22,500 hectares, with production potentially rising to 365,000 tons.
In terms of regional distribution, Peru's blueberry production is highly concentrated in the northern coastal regions, including provinces like La Libertad, Lambayeque, Ancash, and Piura. These regions, with their modern irrigation infrastructure, abundant skilled labor resources, and advantageous geographical proximity to ports and airports, have become golden zones for blueberry cultivation. The warm, dry climate and cool nights provide near-perfect natural conditions for blueberry growth, enabling almost year-round harvesting with extremely high yields. Ground-planted blueberries can produce 15-20 tons per hectare, while potted blueberries can reach 20-35 tons.
In terms of exports, Peru's blueberries are also showing strong development. It is anticipated that in the 2025/26 crop year, Peru's blueberry export volume will reach 335,000