Proarándanos says it will only issue short-term forecasts for forthcoming campaign due to unstable climatic conditions
Climate volatility is creating growing uncertainty amongst the Peruvian blueberry producers as they gear up for the start of the 2026/27 campaign. Atypical weather conditions in recent weeks have led to blueberry association Proarándanos to announce that it will only issue short-term forecasts for the new season.
In its first projection for 2026/27, it estimates an export volume of 56,000 tonnes of fresh blueberries for the initial phase of the season, running through to week 33. This is higher than shipments in the year-earlier period, which Proarándanos put down to an extra 3,000ha of production – bringing total plantings to 27,000ha; along with younger plantations becoming more mature, and the increase in plantings of early-season varieties like Sekoya Pop and Ventura.
The initial forecast also reflects the gradual return of production curves that experienced shifts and delays following the effects of the 2023 El Niño phenomenon, Proarándanos said.
The association warned that the favourable outlook for the start of the campaign did not extend for the entire season. It noted that recent temperature increases could affect flowering and fruit development, leading to a drop in productivity during the middle of the season.
Proarándanos said it will continue to monitor the situation plans to publish an updated forecast within four weeks, subject to the stability of available weather data.
