Despite the high temperatures recorded in recent weeks in Peru, blueberry plants have shown sustained growth and a favorable response.
This was noted by Simón Muñoz, international advisor in blueberry production at Consultora Agrícola y Comercial Santa María (CASM Blueberries), following his recent visits to different production areas in the country.
“Over the past three weeks, I was in Peru. I visited production areas in the south, specifically in Ica. Then I traveled to the north, near Chiclayo, touring fields in the Olmos project and continuing toward the highlands, in an area called San Juan, which is a new project,” he explained.
Muñoz highlighted that, overall, crop conditions remain positive, even considering that March is typically the hottest month of the year in Peru, making it a critical period for crop development.
“In general, the situation is very good in terms of growth. The plants have responded well despite the high temperatures of recent weeks. This is a key stage, as mistakes in management can cause damage and affect productivity—something we have not observed,” he stated.
In that regard, he added that technical protocols have significantly reduced production deviations: “We are seeing fewer and fewer issues related to heat stress, pests, or diseases. This is the result of the sustained work carried out with growers over the years.”
Progress toward floral induction and early signs of production
Regarding the phenological stage, the advisor noted that plants continue to show a strong growth rate, exceeding 1 centimeter per day, which indicates they remain highly active.
“The rest of the production areas look very good, with plants growing at a solid pace. However, we are already observing signs of transition toward floral induction. Leaves with more rounded tips and purplish tones indicate that the plant is beginning to reduce its vegetative growth and start defining its organs for future fruit production,” he explained.
He also pointed out that there are differences depending on the area: “In some sectors, the process is more advanced, with differentiation and flowering already underway, and even some trials with early fruit are being observed. However, the bulk of the volume remains within the normal timing of the Peruvian season.”
More technologically advanced projects with a focus on resource efficiency
Muñoz also highlighted the high level of organization and development of projects, with increasingly demanding yield targets.
“We are seeing very well-structured fields, with active growth and high production goals. This implies a greater demand for inputs, which could be affected by rising fertilizer and fuel prices. Therefore, the focus is on optimizing the use of these resources,” he noted.
Finally, he added that technological innovations are also being evaluated within the production system: “We have also observed the use of new technologies, particularly in container-based systems, which we are currently evaluating,” he concluded.
