Blueberry prices in China’s Yunnan province have declined by nearly 50 per cent compared with last season, according to Yicai, following several years of expanding cultivation.

Between 2021 and 2025, blueberry acreage increased from approximately 6,700 to 20,000 hectares, while harvest volumes rose from 45,000 to 349,000 tons.

Expansion has been accompanied by increased adoption of substrate cultivation, fertigation, protected cultivation, and automated irrigation systems. Companies including Noposion, Xinrongmao, Kesida, and Haisheng Group have expanded their operations in the province.

According to Yimutian, L25 blueberries currently sell for approximately 50 yuan/kg (US$7.50/kg), compared with 100 to 120 yuan/kg (US$15.00 to US$18.00/kg) last year and 150 to 180 yuan/kg (US$22.50 to US$27.00/kg) two seasons earlier.

Establishment costs for blueberry projects range from 70,000 to 100,000 yuan per mu (US$10,500 to US$15,000 per mu), equivalent to approximately 1.05 million to 1.5 million yuan per hectare (US$157,500 to US$225,000 per hectare).

Noposion operates more than 60 blueberry farms across areas including Honghe, Wenshan, and Baoshan.

Some growers and traders are diversifying into raspberries, blackberries, and summer strawberries as blueberry supplies increase.

Industry participants expect greater emphasis on cost management, fruit quality, marketing windows, and distribution channels as competition intensifies.