In recent decades, blueberries have established themselves as the world’s leading superfruit, thanks to their recognized health benefits. This positioning has driven sustained growth in global demand, with double-digit annual increases, expanding consumption to virtually every market around the world.
In this context, Peru has taken on a leading role, positioning itself as the world’s largest exporter of blueberries, backed by their quality, condition as fruit, and a solid variety strength.
How to boost the productive potential of blueberries? What management practices do the new varieties require? How to achieve high standards of quality and condition? These and other questions will be addressed by national and international experts at the 2nd International Specialization Course on Blueberry Production, organized by Consultora Agrícola y Comercial Santa María (CASM Blueberries).
The meeting will take place from March 17 to 19, 2026, in Lima, Peru, with two technical sessions at the Sheraton Lima Hotel and a Field Day at Qali Fruit, a subsidiary of Agrícola Cerro Prieto.
A high-level technical meeting
Sebastián Ochoa, director of CASM Blueberries and founder of Blueberries News, highlighted: “This is the most technically comprehensive blueberry production course held annually in Peru. It brings together the world’s leading specialists in each area, so for those of us who work in this industry, attending is essential.”
Along the same lines, Fernando Villagrán, international advisor on blueberry production at CASM Blueberries, pointed out: “Here, we review updated information on physiology, nutrition, biostimulation, and varieties. Feedback among participants is key to achieving greater production potential, both in terms of quality and quantity.”
Antonia Maggiolo, Head of Research and Development at CASM Blueberries, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the course: “It is a highly enriching course, with top-level speakers. It is aimed at producers, field managers, technicians, irrigation managers, people who want to enter the business, and agricultural professionals in general. It is broad, versatile, and very comprehensive.”
According to Simón Muñoz, international advisor at CASM Blueberries: “This course was created in response to the need to overcome technical barriers and deepen knowledge. The industry requires increasing specialization in order to be successful and stand out. In addition, the program is updated every year, incorporating new content and experiences.”
Key industry specialists
The meeting will feature the participation of international leaders such as Roger Horak, founder and CEO of United Exports (Ozblu): “The industry will only grow if farmers are profitable. That requires better farming techniques and information sharing. These events are essential.”
From a financial perspective, Daniel Serdio, Group M&A Senior Manager at ADQ, explained: “The differences in productivity between orchards with similar conditions are enormous, and are directly related to management. Keeping up to date with best practices and surrounding yourself with industry leaders is key to maximizing returns.”
Thomas Fichet, PhD in Biotechnology and academic at the University of Chile, highlighted: “The blueberry is the fruit species with the highest varietal renewal. This requires new knowledge and specific management techniques, especially in the context of climate change.”
Ongoing updates: essential to compete
Luis Luchsinger, PhD in Horticulture and international consultant, emphasized: “The growth in global supply raises the bar for quality and condition. That is why it is essential to stay up to date and be at the forefront of knowledge.”
Andrés France, PhD in Plant Pathology from Cornell University, added: “The speakers work in multiple countries and production environments, which allows them to share experiences that are applicable to different contexts.”
Technical and strategic topics
Key topics will be addressed during the course. Sebastián Ochoa will discuss how blueberry physiology is directly related to the main agronomic practices that influence production, fruit quality, and plant development. The presentation will provide an understanding of the specific physiological characteristics of the crop and how to use them to implement more precise and efficient practices aimed at achieving better production results.
Horak will present a strategic vision for the future of early blueberries, highlighting the importance of high-yielding varieties with good flavor, firmness, and size. “Soft and sour blueberries are one of the main challenges facing the industry, and this is something we must move away from in order to continue growing as a category,” he emphasized.
Maggiolo and Villagrán will give a presentation on nutrition and biostimulation in blueberries, sharing results and the latest studies developed by CASM Blueberries. Their presentation will delve into the importance of having a well-structured annual program with ongoing monitoring, since improper management of these variables directly impacts the crop’s productive and economic potential.
Villagrán added that, “in Peru, a large proportion of current production is carried out in pots and substrates, where nutrition and biostimulation play a fundamental role in achieving high levels of yield and quality.”
Serdio will offer a financial overview of the blueberry industry, explaining in simple terms what an investment fund is, what it looks for, and what aspects it focuses on when investing. It will also analyze why global funds have shown growing interest in this crop and what opportunities are opening up for producers and the industry in light of these changes in market dynamics.
To understand the evolution of crop genetics over the decade, Patricio Muñoz will discuss the use of tools such as genomic information, artificial intelligence, sensors, computer vision, and gene editing, which today make it possible to design and validate new varieties more accurately and efficiently, in line with the needs of the market, producers, and consumers.
Fichet will detail the main mistakes that are still being made in the application of plant growth regulators and how to optimize their use to obtain maximum benefit. “Key aspects such as pH, mobility, and penetration of molecules will be addressed, as well as the right time for application, which are determining factors for improving the efficiency and profitability of management,” he said.
Luchsinger will then analyze the main issues of the last season, addressing the efficient management of gasification, the proper design of packaging, and its direct relationship with the quality and condition of the fruit. “Issues such as soft fruit, rot, dehydration, and weight loss will be reviewed from a technical perspective aimed at the continuous improvement of post-harvest processes,” he said.
France will present an analysis of the main phytosanitary problems of the last season, with an emphasis on the control of thrips and powdery mildew. The presentation will highlight the interaction between pests and diseases, and how these relationships can intensify health problems if not managed in an integrated and timely manner.
Simón Muñoz will close the course with an overview of blueberries, analyzing the expansion of cultivation into new productive areas thanks to the development of varieties with low cold hour requirements. “We will review how this scenario has reshaped global supply, opened new markets, and generated new commercial dynamics, providing tools for producers and exporters to strategically position themselves in the global context,” he concluded.
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We remind you that, after two days of theoretical content, the third day will be a Field Day, designed to apply the information and content learned.
Secure your place at one of the most important events in the industry!
To purchase your ticket, please contact:
📞 Agustina Martínez: +569 7934 1964
