Following a difficult couple of months, the amount of blueberries of Peru has been increasing. “El Nino was a major influence. Through our programs alone that we had to cancel, we have lost a substantial quantity of fruit normally occurs in the period between October and November,” says Michael Giordano from Consalo Family Farms.

In addition and adding further pressure for fruit supply came the possibility that higher market conditions across Asia and Europe were also a draw for the fruit which would normally go towards the U.S.

Giordano claims that markets are beginning to moderately adjust, and then come down slightly. There is still a shortage out in the market, but there are more green grasses to come.

The volume of North America is starting to alter in the present. “The quantities of Peru are improving. There’s no dramatic rise and it’s certainly not going to be the same situation we found ourselves in just a few weeks ago, where there wasn’t any fruits,” Giordano says. “The market is beginning to moderately adjust and then come down a slightly. Still, there are shortages however there is a lot of greener landscapes in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, Argentina has been shipping fruits. “It’s helped us to ensure continuity within the chain of supply,” says Giordano. Consalo Family Farms’ first deliveries of Argentinian fruit were delivered at the beginning of October. The deliveries will be finished within a couple of weeks. “Argentina has a longer season, but it does help make up for the lack of Peruvian and Chilean fruits that weren’t available to us.”

Overlapping regions

It is now possible to have an occasional interspersing of two seasons: Peruvian and Chilean blueberry season. “Peruvian blueberries are very powerful and due to their unique areas of production, we could make use of Peru throughout to the Chilean season, even with smaller volumes,” Giordano says. However, Peruvian fruit is likely to be a bit scarce in February or March.

At present, tiny quantities are arriving from Chile. A more robust supply will begin the middle of December, in, and continue through the Christmas season.

Michael Giordano and his father Nick and his dad, who works in the business.

Mexico has also been transporting blueberries from Mexico. “However when we’re located in the Northeast the fruit doesn’t always arrive here due to the expense of shipping to Texas and Arizona so it’s not as affordable as Peruvian fruit which is delivered right to our door from Philadelphia,” says Giordano. In contrast, Mexican fruit is mostly sold within the Southeast as well as the Southwest regions.

In terms of demand, it’s had a good year. “Even there’s more of fruit, the need continues to be there,” adds Giordano.

Price to be softer

Concerning pricing, it’s about an increase of $15 to $20 in the present time compared to last year. “The FOB costs in the Northeast for a pint of blueberries ranges from $48 to $52. At the time of last year, it was somewhere in the lower to the mid-$30s,” Giordano says.

Concerning pricing, it’s about 15 to 20 percent increase in price in the present time compared to last year. This is at this point.

When typically, around this time of year it’s a highly competitive market and a dramatic drop in prices and demand due to Chilean imports increase and Peru is at its highest but this year the decline will be expected, but not so fast and sweeping as previously. “It’ll continue to decrease with prices on one pint of blueberries in the Northeast in the evening, which is around mid $20s to low $30s,” says Giordano.

The whole thing has put focus on how climate changes affect the import blueberry industry across North America. “It’s not just affecting us right now, but it was something that may impact us in the coming three, or even one year,” Giordano says. “It’ll be fascinating to observe what this storm event will do to affects the whole market of blueberries at this time of the year to come.”

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Michael Giordano

The Fresh Wave Fruit and Produce (r)

Consalo Family Farms (r)

Tel: +1 (856) 794-1408

michael@thefreshwave.com

www.consalofamilyfarms.com