Jan Marc Schulz, de SFI Rotterdam (Pays-Bas) :

« La baisse des volumes d’exportation de myrtilles péruviennes est un signe avant-coureur »

Cette saison, le Pérou a expédié très tôt des myrtilles en quantités assez importantes vers l’Europe. « Mais cela ne va pas durer. Nous voyons déjà des signes précurseurs indiquant que les livraisons, en raison d’El Niño, seront inférieures aux prévisions initiales, car les volumes expédiés sont d’ores et déjà en deçà des estimations », explique Jan Marc Schulz, de la SFI de Rotterdam.

« La saison pourrait donc bien se dérouler très différemment de ce qui avait été prévu : il est très probable qu’en octobre, nous ne soyons pas submergés de myrtilles et qu’en novembre et décembre, il y en ait trop peu sur le marché. La demande sur le marché est bonne, la qualité du produit péruvien est satisfaisant, mais les prix restent encore un peu à la traîne. »

Schulz qualifie le climat général sur le marché des fruits importés de tendu. « Et les prévisions d’inflation qui ont été publiées ne contribuent pas vraiment à améliorer l’ambiance. Les consommateurs se montrent prudents dans leurs dépenses, et pourtant, compte tenu de sa relative stabilité géopolitique, l’Europe reste un marché vers lequel on envoie souvent trop de volumes, en espérant que tout ira pour le mieux. »

Retrouvez SFI lors du salon Fruit Attraction de Madrid, Hall 12 – F-1.

Pour plus d’informations :
Jan Marc Schulz
SFI Rotterdam
jmschulz@sfifruit.com

Global blueberry supply growth puts pressure on Polish growers

Global blueberry production continues to increase as new plantations reach maturity, and competition between growing regions intensifies. For Poland, the focus is shifting from expanding volumes to maintaining profitability as global supply rises.

According to the International Blueberry Organization (IBO), global blueberry production reached around 2.33 million tons in 2025 and could exceed 3.36 million tons by 2029. Approximately 45,000 hectares worldwide are not yet in full production, indicating further supply growth.

As availability increases, retailers are placing greater emphasis on firmness, flavor, size, uniformity, and shelf life. Growers therefore face increasing pressure to produce fruit suited to specific markets at competitive costs.

Peru illustrates the changing supply landscape. The country is estimated to have produced around 407,800 tons in the 2025/26 season, with exports approaching 393,800 tons. Production could reach approximately 604,000 tons by 2029. China and other Asia-Pacific countries are also increasing their role in global blueberry supply.

Poland produces around 62,000–64,000 tons of blueberries annually from approximately 13,000 hectares. However, the average blueberry farm covers only around 1.4 hectares. This fragmented structure can make individual investment in cooling, sorting, packing, automation, and harvesting technology difficult.

Producer groups, shared packing and cooling infrastructure, coordinated cultivation, joint marketing, and collective investment could provide additional scale without requiring larger individual farms.

Future development may also focus more on existing plantations than acreage expansion. Variety selection is becoming increasingly important as older cultivars face requirements for firmness, flavor, size, and shelf life. Mechanization, precision crop management, irrigation, and post-harvest cooling could also improve efficiency and consistency.

Poland is unlikely to compete with large growing regions purely on cost or scale. Its position includes proximity to European consumer markets, an established blueberry sector, and experience supplying export markets.

With global blueberry output forecast to continue increasing, Poland’s competitiveness is expected to depend on quality, efficiency, variety selection, automation, market organization, and cooperation between growers. The sector’s ability to coordinate cultivation, post-harvest handling, and marketing could determine its position in the European blueberry market over the coming years.

For more information:
Mariusz Podymniak
Tel: +48 60850 0501
Email: mariusz.podymniak@hortusmedia.pl

Product portfolio expansion, new logo and more on display

Crystal Valley Foods will return to the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando this October, highlighting continued growth across its product portfolio, supply network, packaging and technology.

Strengthening and diversifying its supply network remains a key focus for the company. With increasingly challenging growing conditions and changing global markets, the company continues to work closely with its grower partners throughout North, Central and South America to support its year-round programs and adapt to the changing needs of customers.

“We are always looking for ways to evolve based on what we are seeing in the market and what our customers need,” said Katiana Valdes, marketing director for Crystal Valley Foods. “Maintaining a diverse supply base and continuing to strengthen our product offerings are increasingly important in today’s environment.”

The company has also continued the rollout of the new logo and brand identity introduced last year. Updated bag, carton and label designs are being developed and introduced throughout the product line, creating a more consistent and modern look across the brand while maintaining the identity customers have known for more than three decades.

At the same time, the company is investing behind the scenes in technology. It is actively integrating its systems to create a more connected operation, with an emphasis on improving traceability and data visibility across the supply chain. The company is also incorporating AI tools to help streamline processes, analyze information and support faster, more informed decision-making.

Organic and value-added offerings remain another area of development. The company has expanded its organic asparagus program to provide year-round availability in both bulk and retail-ready bagged formats, while continuing to develop convenient packaging options across its specialty vegetable portfolio.

The company also continues to broaden its product offerings in select markets. Over the past year, Crystal Valley West in Los Angeles has added mangos, papayas, pineapples and avocados to its lineup, expanding the range of products available through its West Coast operation.

This October, IFPA provides an opportunity to bring these initiatives together while connecting with customers, growers and other industry partners.

“The Global Produce & Floral Show is one of the best opportunities we have each year to connect face-to-face with people from across the industry,” Valdes said. “We’re looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on, hearing what our customers are looking for and discussing where we can grow together next.”

The company looks forward to welcoming attendees at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando at booth# 2457.

For more information:
Katiana Valdes
Crystal Valley Foods
Tel: +1 (786) 565-4575
katiana@crystalvalleyfoods.com
https://www.crystalvalleyfoods.com