In light of the atypical weather conditions observed in recent weeks, which have increased uncertainty regarding the development of the season, the Peruvian Blueberry Growers and Exporters Association (Proarándanos) released its first forecast for the 2026–27 season, focusing exclusively on the short term.
According to the association, the current scenario does not yet allow for sufficiently reliable estimates regarding the outcome of the season, which extends through April 2027. For this reason, it considers it premature to communicate aggregate figures for the entire campaign.
In line with its commitment to keeping the industry informed in a timely and rigorous manner, Proarándanos has opted to present a projection limited to the next ten weeks.
Based on the latest information provided by growers and exporters, Peru is expected to export approximately 56 million kilograms of fresh blueberries (56,000 metric tons) from the start of the season through week 33 of the year.
This volume would exceed that recorded during the same period of the previous season and would be driven primarily by the incorporation of nearly 3,000 new hectares into production, the progressive maturation of plantings entering their second productive year, and the increasing share of early-season varieties within the production calendar.
As a result, Peru is expected to surpass 27,000 hectares of blueberries in production during the current season, with Sekoya Pop and Ventura remaining the varieties with the largest planted area.
High Temperatures Continue to Create Uncertainty Around Peak Production
Proarándanos explained that this forecast reflects only the performance expected during the initial stage of the season, a period in which the recent increase in temperatures had not yet been observed. This factor could affect flowering and fruit development during the peak production period, meaning that the projected volumes do not necessarily indicate the trend that the remainder of the season will follow.
The association noted that the higher volumes expected during this first stage are primarily driven by the expansion of cultivated acreage, the consolidation of early-season varieties, and the gradual return of production curves that had shifted as a result of the effects of El Niño in 2023.
Likewise, Proarándanos warned that, should a new climatic event with similar characteristics occur, a reduction in productivity during the middle portion of the season cannot be ruled out. However, this impact could be partially offset by the entry of new production areas and by a possible extension of the export window.
Finally, the association stated that projections for the season as a whole will be released as climatic and production conditions evolve, allowing uncertainty levels to decrease and providing greater visibility regarding the development of the campaign.
