According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), the global trade of blueberries was valued at $2.77 billion, along with an export volume of over 459,000 tons in 2021. Meanwhile, the total production of blueberries was estimated at around 1.79 million metric tons in the same year. As per data shared by the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), blueberry production by country has doubled from 2010 to 2019. During this period, the number of countries cultivating blueberries rose from 26 to 30. Furthermore, the FAS highlighted that the number of countries with an annual production of 10,000 tons or more rose from four in 2010 to 11 by 2019. The size of the global blueberry market stood at $8.3 billion in 2021 and is forecasted to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% to reach a size of $11.3 billion by the end of this decade.
Although China is the largest producer of blueberries in the world, with an annual output of 477,080 tons, the country consumes it all locally and is not a major exporter. Furthermore, the country imports blueberries from around the world to fulfil its domestic requirement. Peru has emerged as a major grower and exporter of blueberries only in the last decade. During this short period, the fruit has achieved the distinction of being the second most exported fruit and vegetable by the South American country in terms of value and has even overtaken the exports of avocadoes. Overall, Peru is the third biggest producer of blueberries in the world, behind China and the US. The US is the biggest single export market for Peru as it exported 124,450 tons of blueberries to the world’s biggest economy. According to the International Blueberry Organization (IBO), the global production of blueberries will surpass the 3 million tons level by the middle of this decade.
20. Czech Republic
Blueberry Export Value: $1,101,000
Blueberry Export Quantity: 120 tons
The Czech Republic has observed a dramatic increase in the production and export of blueberries in recent times to enter our list of the 20 largest exporters of blueberries in the world. The country imported 200,000 1-year-old blueberry plants from the Netherlands in the spring of 2018 and harvested them in a 47-hectare area. However, the exports were only 5% of the total blueberry trade conducted by the country in 2021.
19. Estonia
Blueberry Export Value: $1,619,000
Blueberry Export Quantity: 240 tons
Estonia has favourable climatic conditions for blueberry cultivation, and several farms and producers are involved in blueberry production. The country’s blueberry production is primarily focused on supplying the domestic market, with a portion also being exported to neighbouring countries. Exports took up 12% of the total trade of blueberries by Estonia in 2021. Meanwhile, the country imported $11.84 million worth of blueberries in 2021.
18. Belgium
Blueberry Export Value: $2,660,000
Blueberry Export Quantity: 482 tons
Belgium exports enough blueberries to justify its inclusion in our list of the largest exporters of blueberries in the world. The consumption of blueberries is gaining widespread popularity in the country as the fruit is used in various culinary preparations.
