The blueberry is a globular berry, with aromatic, juicy pulp and a pleasant flavor. For more than 10 years, Peru began to venture into the production of this fruit and has done so successfully that today it is the world's leading exporter. And, according to experts, it is on its way to becoming the world's leading producer.
Peru's good climate allows the production of this berry throughout the year, which gives it a great advantage over other producing countries. In the 2022-2023 season, Peru exported 286,240 tons of blueberries to 35 countries. The main recipient country is the United States, followed by European and Asian nations.
According to Proarándanos, a trade association for the export and marketing of blueberries in Peru, most of the plantations are located in the region of La Libertad, followed by Lambayeque, Ica and Lima.
The origin of production
In 2002, Peruvian engineer Carlos Gereda had the idea of boosting blueberry production in Peru. The hurdle to overcome was to find a variant of the plant that could be harvested under the country's climatic conditions. After several trial and error attempts, which included agricultural and scientific work, they finally determined that the Biloxi, Duke, Sharpblue and Legacy varieties worked well.
In 2009, Gereda founded Inka's Berries, the company that laid the foundations for the growth and development of blueberries in Peru.
Benefits and properties
It is important to highlight that blueberries offer a large amount of antioxidants, and are beneficial for reducing or regulating blood pressure. They are rich in vitamins A, B and C, which contribute to strengthen the immune system. They also promote eye health, help improve intestinal transit, have antibacterial action and are good allies in preventing diabetes.
