Lack of investment in new genetics has left the country trailing behind its Latin American neighbours
The new Argentine blueberry crop is expected to weigh in at 15,000 tonnes, according to the Association of Blueberry Producers of Mesopotamia Argentina (Apama).
According Fruitnet, harvesting began a few weeks ago and is expected to last until December.
Speaking to local radio station Chacra Agro Continental, Apama president Alejandro Pannunzio said the sector reached its peak in 2008 with approximately 5,000ha of plantations and annual exports of nearly 20,000 tonnes, but that today the area has been reduced by half, and the exportable volume stands at barely around 5,000 tonnes.
The fall is mainly due to the challenge of competing with countries that have made major strides by investing in cutting-edge genetics and other productive improvements.
The main producing areas in Argentina are the Northwest (NOA), centred on Tucumán, and the Mesopotamia region, with Concordia as the main hub. The area north of Buenos Aires also has a smaller blueberry industry.
“Argentina used to be at the forefront, but financing problems, lack of access to the latest genetics, and intellectual property restrictions have made us lose competitiveness,” Pannunzio said.
He explained that entering the business requires a minimum investment of about 25ha and vertical integration that includes a cold storage facility and access to international clients.
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While exports have fallen in recent years, Pannunzio noted that domestic demand has increased over the last decade thanks to promotional campaigns about the fruit’s nutritional properties.
“Blueberries are very tasty, have a low sugar content, and are considered a superfood for their antioxidant content,” he said.
The principal export markets for Argentine blueberries are the US and UK, although more recently China has emerged as a key destination for high-quality fruit.
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