Argentina Blueberries business updates

Dave's expects 20% more volume

Look for increased volume of Argentinean blueberries this season from Coral Springs, Fla.-based Dave's Specialty Imports Inc.

"What we have seen looks very good, and we should have at least a 20% increase from last year from Argentina," said vice president Mike Bowe.

"Argentina is trying to emphasize having quality and flavor as they compete with Peru's increasing volume during the same months of October through December," he said.

Overall, Bowe said, Argentina's projections look similar to last season, but he added that the possibility of some freeze damage remains in the event that there are some cold evenings.

Giumarra volume continues rise

Los Angeles-based Giumarra International Berry has been increasing its blueberry volume out of Argentina for the past several years, and this season is no exception, said Tom Richardson, vice president of global development.

"We should be one of the top three or four importers from Argentina to North America," he said. The company has fruit available on the East Coast and West Coast.

"As we get into the season, we'll be offering a range of pack types - from 4.4-ounce clamshells to 6 ounces to 18 ounces to take care of the needs of our broad customer base," Richardson said.

For retailers planning promotions, peak season should be in late October, he said.

Giumarra sells its berries under the Nature's Partner brand.

Naturipe boosts Rocio supplies

Supplies of Naturipe's proprietary Rocio blueberry variety out of Argentina should be up significantly from last year, said Jim Roberts, vice president of sales for the Salinas, Calif.-based grower-shipper.

Naturipe shipped a few Rocios from Argentina last year, but, "This will be the first year we've had true production," Roberts said.

The Rocio comes on early in the season, is larger than traditional blueberries and has a "very nice flavor," he said.

The variety was developed in Spain, and Naturipe also grows it in other production areas, including California, Chile, Peru and Mexico.

Naturipe also is now offering organic blueberries from Argentina.

Growing organically is a challenge in Argentina because the berries must be subjected to a cold treatment, requiring the right varieties and the right processes to meet organic standards, Roberts said.

Argentina growers do not produce a lot of organic fruit, he said, but the organic blueberry program "helps fill the gap between the Chilean fruit and domestic fruit."

The Perishable Specialist booms

Volume continues to surge for Miami-based broker The Perishable Specialist Inc., said Frank Ramos, president and CEO. The company already had received its first shipment in late August, and Ramos said his customers expect a 10% increase across the board from Argentina this season.

"All production seems to be on the high end," he said.

Even last season, with an El Niño weather condition, the company's customers reported at least 8% volume increases, Ramos said.

"Everybody is reporting that the weather, up to now, is holding up well, which is always an important factor," he said.

Wish Farms adds organic program

Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms has launched an organic blueberry program out of Argentina, said Teddy Koukoulis, director of blueberry operations.

The berries will be grown in the Tucuman region and taken by truck to Chile, where they will be loaded onto a ship and subjected to a cold treatment to protect against the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Most blueberries from Argentina are flown to the U.S., which means they must be fumigated, which precludes them from being certified organic, he said.

The new program means the company will have organic blueberries during a time when very few are available, Koukoulis said.

Meanwhile, the company will continue to work with a grower in Argentina who raises blueberries under hoops. The program, which started last year, enables the grower to start picking earlier than other producers because of the added heat units and to pick during inclement weather, which would keep conventional growers out of their fields, he said.