JOC Staff | Oct 29, 2012 9:04AM EDT
Exports of blueberries from Chile are projected to rise to a record 84,900 tons this 2012-13 season, an increase of 21 percent from last year’s 70,800 tons.
More than three-quarters of the total volume is expected to ship to the U.S., based on data collected by the Chilean Blueberry Committee, an affiliate of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association.
To meet rising demand from North America, Chilean farmers are increasing blueberry production output to reach 110,000 to 120,000 tons by the 2015-16 season.
The Chilean blueberry harvest is under way, primarily in the northern regions, where producers are seeing normal fruit yields for this time of year.