Global demand for berries is growing and isn't being met as there has been an increase in consumption because of these fruits' nutritional and nutraceutical qualities. Argentina produces 20,000 tons of blueberries, 2,000 tons of raspberries, 500 tons of blackberries, 200 tons of currant, and 36,000 tons of strawberries. Argentina's main comparative advantage is that its production takes place in the counter-season so it can export its berries to northern hemisphere when they are in midwinter, thus achieving higher prices. Of course, Uruguay and Chile, which is a major producer of berries, also do this.
"Demand for berries has increased significantly and steadily in recent years," said Juan Pablo Barella, director of Buenos Aires Berries, a company that has been marketing them for more than 15 years. "It started as a fashion trend but gradually the berries were part of the consumption habits of the Argentinians. At first they bought it fresh or frozen, especially for pastries and jams. Over the years the number of products based on these fruits increased enormously. Now, consumers can find them fresh, in sweets, sauces, chutneys, dehydrated, jams, juices, chocolates, cakes, etc.", he said.
"Berries have a positive trend every year in terms of demand," said Jorge Pazos, director of Tropical Argentina. Why does consumption continue to grow? "They are easy to use and people associate them with a good and healthy lifestyle. Estimates are berries will have a 10% annual growth rate in the coming years in Argentina," said Pazos.
Currently, one can find berry production in most of the country. The activity's growth and the development of new varieties can extend the range of fresh fruit production (which is more expensive). The fruit that can't be marketed fresh is used by the industry and then frozen and its price, compared to the fresh fruit, decreases. "In our country, the NOA has a great advantage: they have the first harvest of the counter-season, even before Chile, in July / August so they achieve the best prices," said Marisa Imposti de Palacio, who manages Il Mirtilo-Berries de Suipacha with her husband Lino Palacio in Suipacha, Buenos Aires.
The sector also has its challenges. One of them is to add value to the fruits. "The prices paid to producers do not increase as fast as production costs because of inflation and the permanent increase in costs," said Barella. "The possibility of fruit entering the country from other places, such as Chile, for example, limits the prices that can be reached in the domestic market. However, costs continue to increase. It's an unstoppable variable. Currently, producers must minimize costs as best they can and try to add value to their product," he said.
The last few years were not easy. "The sector has been hit hard by the exchange rate, domestic costs, and the climate. Things are looking better now; we still need to strengthen the marketing chain and see how costs and international prices end up, among other factors," said Juan Carlos Malvar, manager of Berries de Argentina, which is owned by the Sidus company and has 120 hectares devoted to production in Candelaria, northeast of San Luis.
The sector has a new outlook of the immediate future. "The market was saturated by small producers. Now, the sector has readjusted, there are large farms, prospects are better, and we can start thinking about exporting again, as the exchange rate is more favorable," stated Imposti de Palacio. Other good news is that transportation has greatly improved. "The country has improved its international logistics in recent seasons, for example, freighters arrived at the International Airport of Neuquen. It still remains a major challenge that needs to be consolidated in the coming years," said Pazos.
According to the MinCyT, "the current demand growth for berries, both fresh and industrialized, including for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, will continue up to 2030."
