With just days to go until the end of 2025, the balance sheet for Consultora Agrícola y Comercial Santa María (CASM Blueberries) is highly positive. The firm, founded in 2016 by renowned international blueberry production consultant Sebastián Ochoa, closed the year with new projects, geographic expansion, and sustained growth that positions it as a global technical leader. In addition, the company surpassed 20,000 hectares under consultation this year.
Over the years, CASM Blueberries has established itself as a leading consultant in the industry, advising producers on different continents and providing high-level services for the development of blueberry cultivation.
For Sebastián Ochoa, director of CASM Blueberries and founder of Blueberries News, the year’s results are positive: “It has been a very good year, with exponential growth. We have added countries such as Romania, Hungary, Lebanon, and Iran.”
The consultant explained that Lebanon and Iran are markets focused mainly on domestic consumption, with attractive prices and new projects. “These are the first and only blueberry projects in those countries that we are advising, all with a high level of technology.”
One of the most significant milestones of 2025 was the incorporation of Romania, where CASM began advising on Europe’s largest blueberry project, with 1,000 hectares of hydroponic farming, aimed at supplying the European and Asian markets.
“We have grown in practically every country where we operate. Our main marketing strategy is word of mouth, based on recommendations from the producers themselves, and that is a reflection of the team’s strong performance in each project,” Ochoa pointed out.
Technical Support for Growers
One of CASM’s pillars is comprehensive support from the start of each project. “Our main goal is to make projects as profitable as possible, helping producers cut or avoid the learning curve and prevent mistakes,” explained Ochoa.
This includes advice on variety selection, nurseries, irrigation systems, and production management from the earliest stages. “In countries with no previous experience, choosing the right varieties is key. You can’t just plant any variety without technical knowledge, because the results can be very poor,” he warned.
He emphasized that CASM’s mission is to bridge the technical knowledge gap in both emerging countries and regions with more experience, optimizing processes, reducing costs, increasing productivity, and improving fruit quality.
Alongside the growth of the consulting firm, Ochoa highlighted the development of Blueberries News, a media outlet specializing in global blueberry production. “I am very happy with the company we have formed, with the creation and development of Blueberries News, magazines, and the international courses we will be offering in Peru, Chile, China, Mexico, and Georgia, which will feature the world’s leading specialists in each area. For those of us who work in this industry, attending is essential,” he said.
A prolific year with strong geographic growth
Along the same lines, Simón Muñoz, international advisor on blueberry production at CASM Blueberries, highlighted that 2025 was a key year for the company’s expansion. “It has been a very prolific year for us to make ourselves known, reach new territories, and support emerging industries in establishing successful projects,” he said.
Muñoz emphasized that growth has not only been geographical, but also structural. “We are forming a unique technical platform that is not seen in other companies. Growth has been very positive in every way.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Muñoz emphasized that growth must go hand in hand with customer success. “This increase in customer numbers and geographical presence must translate into successful and profitable projects. We don’t just want to close a good year as a company, we also want to see good results for those who trust and work with us. Opportunities for next year focus on consolidating the work done, continuing to grow as a company, and supporting the development of new production hubs,” he said.
Peru: Global leadership and varietal renewal
In recent years, Peru has taken on a leading role in the industry, positioning itself as the world’s largest exporter of blueberries, thanks to the quality of its fruit, its condition, and its varietal strength. Currently, CASM Blueberries advises on nearly 70% of the country’s blueberry production.
Regarding this situation, Fernando Villagrán, international advisor on blueberry production at CASM Blueberries, explained that producers who moved forward with varietal replacement achieved outstanding results. “Most reached their projected yields, and many even exceeded them, with very good production and sizes,” he said.
Villagrán added that the main challenges are associated with uncontrollable variables, such as the weather. “We work on management, nutritional balance, and control of stress factors, such as radiation, to help plants express their maximum potential.”
Research and Development: A strategic focus
CASM Blueberries has a specialized Research and Development (R&D) service, implemented in Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Antonia Maggiolo, head of R&D at the consulting firm, highlighted the progress made during 2025. “We have made very positive progress. We are currently collaborating with several chemical companies in the development of trials, operating across Mexico, Peru, and Chile.”
Looking ahead to next year, the focus will be on expanding this research. “The plan is to conduct more trials in conjunction with the industry to strengthen innovation and develop more effective solutions for blueberry production and for producers,” concluded Maggiolo.
