On June 30 and July 1, Chiclayo will become the meeting point for some of the blueberry industry’s leading specialists during the 1st International Specialization Course on Blueberry Production, organized by CASM Blueberries. The event will feature a theoretical session at Casa Andina Hotel and a field day at Agrícola Cerro Prieto.
The course will bring together consultants, researchers, and representatives from leading companies to discuss the technical, commercial, and climatic challenges facing the sector in a context shaped by rapid genetic advances, the opening of new markets, and the uncertainty associated with the El Niño phenomenon.
El Niño and the challenges for the upcoming season
One of the main speakers will be Sebastián Ochoa, international consultant and founder of CASM Blueberries, who will focus his presentation on blueberry production in northern Peru under El Niño conditions and on the management strategies needed to cope with this climate phenomenon.
“The focus will be on production in northern Peru, with special attention to the season under El Niño conditions. My presentation will focus on the management practices that should be implemented and the precautions that need to be taken when facing this phenomenon,” he explained.
The topic will also be addressed by Felipe Costa, international director of the International Center for Research on the El Niño Phenomenon (CIIFEN), who aims to provide technical clarity regarding the current situation and its potential impacts on blueberry production.
“There is a great deal of interest, but also a great deal of sensationalism surrounding what is happening. We want to explain the concepts associated with El Niño, understand the current conditions, and discuss what can be expected from the phenomenon itself. The goal is to translate those impacts into practical implications for Peru’s blueberry-producing regions,” he noted.
Global trends and new varieties for northern Peru
Another of the event’s central themes will be the future of the industry and the evolution of international markets. In this context, Simón Muñoz, international blueberry production consultant at CASM Blueberries, will present the lecture “Where is the blueberry industry heading? Global trends and new varieties for northern Peru”.
During his presentation, he will discuss the trends shaping the development of the sector, the emergence of new markets and the transformation of traditional ones, as well as the evolution of management and production techniques worldwide.
He will also analyze the new varieties and genetic releases that have recently emerged, highlighting materials with promising productivity and development prospects for Peru, such as Sharper and Apex.
“We will analyze what lies ahead for the Peruvian blueberry industry, which markets are emerging and which are disappearing, which ones are gaining momentum and reinventing themselves, as well as the new varieties that are driving the evolution of the sector,” he explained.
Nutrition and biostimulation for increasingly intensive production systems
Nutrition and biostimulation will also play a prominent role in the program. Fernando Villagrán, international blueberry production consultant at CASM Blueberries, will discuss current nutritional management strategies used in Peru, including the management of macro- and micronutrients, different application methods, and nutrition in container-based production systems.
He will then delve into biostimulation tools, particularly the use of seaweed extracts and amino acids, and will present some of the most relevant trials recently conducted in the country.
Genetics as a key driver of competitiveness
Genetics and value creation will also be part of the discussions during the event. For Miguel Bentin, general manager of Valle y Pampa Perú, the industry’s main challenges today are closely linked to consistency and the quality of the product offered to consumers.
“The main challenges are consistency and the value delivered. Genetics plays a key role in these times, and that is not going to change,” he said.
Bentin also highlighted that consumption growth has been accompanied by a sustained improvement in the quality of the fruit reaching international markets.
“The increase in demand has been driven by the growth in supply, but also because the average quality of the blueberries reaching the market has improved rapidly. That generates competitiveness, value, and decommoditization,” he noted.
An opportunity to strengthen the industry
In addition to the technical updates, the specialists highlighted the importance of creating spaces for exchange and collaboration within an industry that is evolving rapidly and continuously incorporating new management practices, technologies, and commercial strategies.
In this regard, Sebastián Ochoa pointed out that, under the current El Niño conditions, specialized management practices are essential to ensure both good fruit quality and adequate yields, making this one of the course’s main areas of focus.
For his part, Simón Muñoz added that these types of events provide an opportunity to complement and update technical knowledge in a scenario where protocols and management practices are constantly evolving. “The objective is to complement and update the technical knowledge of an industry that is constantly evolving. It is always essential to stay at the forefront of the changes and adjustments taking place in the technical field,” he explained.
The consultant also highlighted that the course incorporates a commercial perspective that will allow participants to analyze the growth of new agricultural industries, the emergence of competitors, and the opportunities and threats facing the sector globally.
Miguel Bentin, meanwhile, emphasized the value of these gatherings in strengthening collaboration within the sector and raising awareness of the impact the industry has on producing regions. “Any opportunity to share experiences and knowledge is extremely valuable. These events also bring us together as an industry and help make the impact of our sector on our countries more visible, particularly in contributing to the progress of thousands of families,” he concluded.
Find the full program for both days of the event below:
