A Deep Dive into the Global Blueberry Market

From summer specialty to year-round staple: How genetics, logistics, and health trends reshaped a global industry

Once a summer luxury item, blueberries have transformed into a year-round staple. In less than two decades, the industry has expanded across continents, doubled production volumes, and become a strategic category for global retailers. As we enter 2026, the sector is operating at an unprecedented scale, yet it faces a defining era where climate resilience and labour automation will separate the market leaders from the rest.

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Market size and growth forecast: The 2-million-ton milestone

There is no single, universal figure for the blueberry market, as analysts track different segments—fresh fruit, frozen and processed blueberries, and downstream ingredients or nutraceuticals. However, the production trajectory is clear:

Total production: Global production exceeded 2.0 million metric tons in 2024 for the first time in history, including fresh and processed blueberries.
A decade of growth: Total global output has more than doubled over the past decade, driven by rapid expansion in Latin America, Asia, and parts of Europe. The IBO projects global blueberry production to reach 3.2 million tons by 2028.
Acreage expansion: The global planted area continues to expand at a rate of roughly 7–10% per year, reflecting sustained investment across multiple regions.

This pace of growth places blueberries among the fastest-expanding fruit categories globally, despite their relatively small absolute volume compared with apples or citrus.

Global production: Top producers and emerging powerhouses

Blueberries can be cultivated across a wide range of climates, from tropical low-chill zones to high-latitude regions. While the Americas remain the dominant producing region (46.3% of global supply), the Asia-Pacific region is now responsible for 35% of global production.

China: The world’s largest producer

China is the world's largest producer by hectares (97,452 ha). By 2025, Chinese production was expected to reach nearly 1 million tons. Most is consumed domestically, though exports to Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia are surging.

Peru: The export titan

After a difficult 2023–24 season, during which El Niño slashed exports by nearly 25%, Peru has staged a massive comeback. The 2024/25 campaign reached a record 327,000 tons, valued at over $2 billion—the first time any Peruvian agricultural product has surpassed this financial milestone. Peru continues to carry the global market, accounting for 31% of all fresh exports.

Morocco: The European gateway

Morocco is now the 4th largest exporter globally. Leveraging its proximity to the EU and the Tangier Med port, it exported over 83,000 tons in 2024. Morocco is on track to surpass Chile and Canada in export volume by 2030.

Poland

Poland has emerged as one of Eastern Europe’s largest producers, producing more than 60,000 MT, with roughly 30% exported, mainly to Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.

South Africa

South Africa continues to expand, producing about 24,000 MT, with genetics now supporting long sea freight instead of air cargo, maintaining quality through 21-day cold-chain journeys.

Global trade dynamics

Exports

Although blueberry production is relatively small compared to other common fruits, its international trade footprint is disproportionately large. According to FAO data, global trade in fresh blueberries is only about 20% lower than that of apples, reflecting the fruit’s high value and year-round demand.

Leading fresh blueberry exporters include Peru, the Netherlands (re-exporting), Mexico, Chile, and, increasingly, Morocco and South Africa.

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Imports & consumption markets

Global fresh blueberry imports reached about 823,000 metric tons in 2023.
The United States and the Netherlands, together, accounted for nearly half of the total imports.
Other major importers include Germany, the UK, Spain, France and China.

China’s role is increasingly dual: it imported nearly 39,000 MT in 2024, while domestic production and consumption continue to surge. Forward-looking IBO scenarios suggest Asia could become the primary demand engine for blueberries later this decade.

Global blueberry prices

Farmgate prices

Farmgate prices are the most volatile segment of the supply chain, heavily influenced by regional labour costs and varietal premiums. In early 2026, European prices are defined by the "Huelva Model" in Spain and the increasing technical efficiency of Polish growers.

Country	Average Farmgate Price	Key Trend
United States	€3.10 – €4.00 / kg	Varies by state; High chill fruit commands a premium over Southern crops
Peru	€3.70 – €4.50 / kg	Prices have stabilised after 2023/2024 shortage spike
China	€4.85 – €6.60 / kg	Greenhouse berries command high prices in the early spring window
Morocco	€3.80 – €4.80 / kg	Holds a price advantage due to lower labour overheads
Spain	€4.50 – €5.20 / kg	Record production costs are being offset by high demand
Poland	€3.15 – €5.25 / kg	Seasonal volatility is high; depends on volume in the EU market

Wholesale prices

Wholesale prices represent the cost per box or pallet at major distribution hubs. These fluctuate weekly based on the arrival of sea-freight containers from the Southern Hemisphere versus the availability of local EU harvests.

Region	Average Wholesale Price	Key Trend
United States	€11.50 – €15.80 / kg	Market steady; light offerings; wide range in quality
Netherlands	€4.50 – €6.00 / kg	Entry point for massive Southern Hemisphere vessel arrivals
Ukraine	€4.45 – €6.67 / kg	Supply is limited while demand is relatively high
Rungis (France)	€16.50 – €19.00 / kg	Driven by premium air-freight and high-quality 125g punnets
Frankfurt (Germany)	€14.50 – €17.50 / kg	Standard for bulk imports and larger formats (500g+)
Warsaw (Poland)	€7.00 – €11.00 / kg	Reflects lower logistics costs during the domestic peak
Madrid (Spain)	€7.20 – €12.00 / kg	High concentration of domestic (Huelva) and Moroccan fruit

The quality premium: Some proprietary blueberry varieties (e.g., Sekoya, Fall Creek) sell 30–40% higher than standard types like Duke due to their firm texture and longer shelf life (21+ days).

Retail prices

Shelf prices at major supermarket chains. Retailers are shifting toward larger formats (500g and 1kg buckets) to achieve record volumes, while 125g punnets remain the most expensive option per kilogram.

Country	Average Retail Price
United States	€7.10 – €18.90
United Kingdom	€10.15 – €21.50
Germany	€10.50 – €14.00
France	€9.96 – €13.50
Netherlands	€10.20 – €13.50
Spain	€9.50 – €12.50

Consumer tip: In 2026, shoppers get the most value from 450–500 g “family packs,” which offer the lowest cost per kilogram.

The superfood narrative

The popularity of blueberries owes much to their nutrition and health image, now supported by a growing body of clinical data:

Cognitive health: A double‑blind trial in older adults given blueberry powder for 12 weeks led to better memory, improved attention, and an 8.5% gain in cognitive task performance.
Cardiovascular benefits: A 2024 systematic review of 16 blueberry intervention studies found that regular blueberry intake significantly improves endothelial function and substantially reduces diastolic blood pressure.
The flavour market: Beyond the produce aisle, the blueberry flavour market reached $8.19 billion in 2025, with 47% of all new beverage innovations featuring blueberry notes.

Industry trends

The growth paradox: While total volume is up, prices for older, softer varieties are stagnating. In contrast, premium jumbo varieties (such as the Sekoya and Fall Creek platforms) command significant price premiums for their crunch and shelf life.
Institutional capital: The sector has shifted from small family-owned farms to large-scale, professionalised operations. Private equity and institutional capital are now the standard for new developments in Mexico, Morocco, and Peru.
Automation: With harvest labour accounting for 56% of total production costs, the race is on for high chill genetics that can be machine-harvested for the fresh market without bruising.

Challenges

Rapid success has brought significant growing pains to the sector:

Climate volatility: The 2023 El Niño served as a wake-up call. Breeders are now prioritising heat tolerance and no-chill varieties to withstand the 4–5°C temperature spikes becoming common in tropical growing zones.
High costs: The human element is the industry’s biggest bottleneck. Labour shortages and high production costs, especially around harvest, remain persistent constraints across major producing regions. Logistics and cost inflation, including shipping and cold chain requirements, add pressure on growers and exporters.
Water stress: Rapid expansion of blueberry cultivation in arid regions is testing water tables, leading to stricter environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements from global retailers.

Conclusion

The global blueberry market has transitioned into a mature, strategic commodity. The coming years will be defined not just by volume, but by reliability. As climate change reshapes where fruit can grow, the winners will be those who master genetics and automated efficiency. For the consumer, the result is a permanent, high-quality superfood available year-round.