Shalaka Shinde | April 9, 2023
The production of blueberry, worldwide, has been exponential in the decade between 2012 and 2021. In fact, blueberry is the fastest growing single crop, according to an analysis of the data recorded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The first two in the list of highest production increase are groups of pome fruits, and seeds like cumin, coriander, anise, and fennel. However, the two groups are not included as the source of the data states that they their data is insufficient.
Blueberry is the Fastest Growing Crop in the World
World produced 630k tonne
more blueberries in 2021
compared to 2012
131 %
% Change in annual production percent (2012 to 2021)
100
50
0
Lupins
Ginger raw
Maté leaves
Hempseed
Avocados
True hemp
(raw or retted)
Blueberries
Pepper raw
Crops
% Change in annual production percent (2012 to 2021)
50
0
100
Blueberries
131 %
World production
of blueberries
rose by
630k tonne
in 2021
from 2012
True hemp
(raw or retted)
Avocados
Hempseed
Crops
Pepper raw
Maté leaves
Ginger raw
Lupins
Source: UNFAO
The overall production of the berry started an upward trend and refused to die down. The production dipped in a small percent in 2020 but picked up immediately in 2021. In 2023, the production is predicted to grow even beyong its previous years' record and in 2021, it was already at a whopping 1113k tonne!
World Produced More Than Double Blueberries in 2021, Compared to 2012
1.1M
1.1M tonne
1M
900K
800K
700K
600K
500K
400K
300K
200K
100K
0
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
1.1M
1.1M tonne
1M
900K
800K
700K
600K
500K
400K
300K
200K
100K
0
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
So where is all this blueberry coming from? And who is consuming these berries? The answer to both the questions is largely the same: United States of America. The US has maintained its position as the highest producer for more than a decade. Canada came a close second in this blue race. But in 2018, a new player entered the field. Peru. Peru increased its production exponentially between 2017 and 2018. It soon beat Canada and Chile to the second and third position respectively in a single year.
Peru Beat Canada and Chile in the Blue Race
Production
(tonne)
350k
US
300k
250k
227k
Peru
200k
150k
Canada
Chile
100k
95k
Mexico
Spain
52k
Poland
50k
0
Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Production
(tonne)
US
350k
300k
250k
227k
Peru
200k
150k
Canada
Chile
100k
95k
52k
50k
0
Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
So what makes Peru such a prime candidate for blueberry world domination? The answer lies in its coastal states, proximity to the Pacific ocean and a phenomenon called the Peru current or the Humboldt current coupled with the tropical weather requirement of the crop.
The Humboldt current, according to Britannica, "is a cold current, except at times of the phenomenon known as El Niño (q.v.), the Peru Current brings fog to the nearby coast but also helps to keep the coast one of the most intensely arid areas in the world. The cold flow is intensified by upwelling of deep water caused by the combined effects of the drag of surface winds of the Southeast Trades and the Earth’s rotation. Upwelling brings abundant nutrients close to the surface, and the beneficial effects of sunlight
'Peru Current' Primes Peru for Perfect Weather Conditions
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
PERU
Piura
Cajamarca
Lambayeque
BRAZIL
La Libertad
PACIFIC OCEAN
Ancash
Lima
BOLIVIA
N
Ica
Moquegua
Peru/Humboldt current
CHILE
CHILE
BOLIVIA
COLOMBIA
BRAZIL
PERU
PACIFIC OCEAN
ECUADOR
Peru/Humboldt current
N
"Following the success of this crop, Peru’s government declared berries as a national strategic crop. According to Law 31518 published in June 2022, blueberries will benefit from targeted public policies formulated to promote national production, exports, and industrialization," according to a report by USDA published in 2022.
As a result of its popularity, the 'cold desert' country of Peru has dedicated an increasing amount of land to blueberry production. In 2020, the yield dipped due to lack of labor owing to Covid, however, reports claim that the production made up and increased further in 2022.
Land to Production Ratio Sees Slight Dip in 2020
20
19.68 ratio: 179,305 tonne
produce from
9,110 hectare land
15
14.21 ratio: 227,971 tonne
produce from
16,041 hectare land
Product:harvest ratio
10
Covid
5
1.4 ratio: 560 tonne
produce from
400 hectare land
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Year
20
19.68 ratio: 179,305 tonne
produce from
9,110 hectare land
15
14.21 ratio: 227,971 tonne
produce from
16,041 hectare land
Product:harvest ratio
10
Covid
5
1.4 ratio: 560 tonne
produce from
400 hectare land
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Year
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