With the export season now approaching its peak, the industry has exported 34.1% more blueberries thus far this season than last year, with just shy of 5 000 tonnes of the sought-after superfood exported, compared with 3 727 tonnes a year ago.
This is according to industry data by producer representative group, Berries ZA.
South Africa’s traditional markets, the UK and Europe, received the bulk of the exports; the UK has imported 2 040.6 tonnes and the EU 1 271 tonnes, representing an increase of 78.9% to the UK, but a 4.3% drop in exports to the EU, representing 56.65 tonnes.
However, exports to the newer markets in the Middle and Far East increased by 424.93 tonnes, which reflects a broader goal within the local horticultural export industry to diversify from traditional markets into non-traditional destinations. Exports to the Middle East totalled 996.48 tonnes for the season thus far, a 31.1% increase, while the 671.92 tonnes exported to the Far East represent an increase of 39%.
Absa’s team of agricultural economists note in their latest Absa Agritrends report that South African blueberry producers were not the only ones who experienced a difficult season last year; global production dropped by about 3.3% or around 196 000 tonnes worldwide, and global exports were down by 8.6%. This was mainly due to production declines in Peru, Chile and Mexico caused by the El Niño weather event.
“Structural adjustments in Peruvian production practices are suggesting that their season could move up to a month later for the coming season. This presents opportunities for producers in the north (of South Africa) but might affect the prices of volumes from the Western Cape that are shipped later in the season,” according to the report.
The Western Cape produces the bulk of South Africa’s blueberries.
