Despite the early start, the campaign will not a premature end.

The vice president of global development Giumarras, Tom Richardson, noted that the first exports from the South American country to Asia were sent during the first week of September, three weeks earlier than normal.

“Winter weather was ideal, so the growing conditions were good and the fruit ripened early,” he said.

“We are also fortunate that the fruit of the Northern Hemisphere was finishing almost exactly the same time, so the demand and supply coincided perfectly,” he said.

Richardson, who is present in Latin America Fruittrade PMA-event to be held in Chile from 12 to 13 November- stressed that despite the early start of Chilean blueberry season, abundant varieties and regions of the country crop production should end at the regular time.

“You have such a wide geographic range in the Chilean blueberry industry. Weather patterns in the southern parts [of] Chillán, Temuco Osorno u are not necessarily connected to the different weather patterns that may have taken place in the north, “he said.

“So we’re hoping that the season continues normally once it starts in the major growing regions and, unless there final climatic events, see Chile supplies continue to the end of February,” he explained.

Companies Giumarras The representative said he expected strong blueberry volumes from the South American country this season, despite the recent frosts, which according to the Chilean Blueberry Committee could lead to production losses of between 0-15% .

“The production was forecast at about 100,000 metric tons [TM], which would be easily 25% more than exported last year,” Richardson said.

“We’ve seen some weather events a couple of weeks you probably have that number decreased slightly ago, but the expectation is still going to be a great harvest of fresh blueberries available for export this season 2014-15,” he said.
“As usual, frost will typically are highly localized, and although we have some producers with some small losses, there’s really no significant losses, at least so far,” he said.

He added that most producers Giumarras worked with frost protection systems in areas that are considered at risk.