Global Fresh Blueberry Market Forecasts: Trends for 2025 and Beyond
According to analysts, the global blueberry sector is entering the second half of the 2020s with unprecedented production capacities and a significantly diversified supply geography. Global blueberry acreage is increasing by at least 10% each year, and the total production volume, according to industry experts, has more than doubled over the past decade, reaching 1.78 million tons in 2023 and surpassing 2.0 million tons for the first time in 2024.
This is reported by AgroReview
“Despite the fact that global blueberry production is nearly 50 times less than apple production, the volume of international trade in fresh blueberries is only 20% behind. Initially, most producing countries focused on external markets. However, the situation is beginning to change,” notes Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the FAO Investment Centre.
He states that blueberries can be successfully grown in a much wider range of climatic conditions, which contributes to the development of their production in many countries. This could lead to significant changes in market structure, as the rapid growth of blueberry production in countries that primarily focus on the domestic market remains unnoticed on a global scale.
Global Trends in Blueberry Production and Trade
The growth of acreage and production volumes of blueberries is impressive in its dynamics. By 2023, blueberry acreage worldwide reached 267,000 hectares, which is 7.2% more compared to 2022. Latin America holds the largest share of acreage—42% of global plantations—thanks to large-scale investments in Peru, Mexico, and Chile. The Asia-Pacific region is also actively developing, particularly China, which has become the largest producer of blueberries in the world, accounting for 32% of global volume.
Sector Development Prospects until 2030
Global blueberry production continues to grow, with the availability of fresh products throughout the year due to production in Southern Hemisphere countries and greenhouses solidifying blueberries’ position as a global commodity. From 2019 to 2023, exports of fresh blueberries grew by 10% annually, despite logistical challenges. Major consumers, including the USA and Europe, continue to engage in active trade, although production growth exceeds export growth, putting pressure on prices.
Positive long-term demand forecasts remain, as blueberries are gaining popularity due to their health benefits. In some regions, consumption is growing faster than trade, linked to falling prices and the use of blueberries in processed products.
Future publications will provide a detailed examination of the prospects for leading fresh blueberry exporters by 2030, as well as macroeconomic factors that may influence the balance of consumption and production.