When it comes to exports, Canada remains the leading foreign destination for U.S. berries, but shippers are working to expand opportunities in Asia and elsewhere.
In 2014, U.S. shippers exported 273.6 million pounds of fresh strawberries, valued at $405.3 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Canada was by far the leading destination, taking 83% of fresh strawberry exports. Mexico was a distant second at 9%.
California produces roughly 90% of the nation’s strawberries.
In 2015, 73% of the 242 million pounds the state’s growers exported went to Canada, followed by Mexico (16.7%), Hong Kong (2.9%), Japan (2.6%), Saudi Arabia (1.7%) and the United Arab Emirates (1.1%).
“Our primary export markets would be Canada and Japan,” said Jim Grabowski, marketing manager for Well-Pict Inc., Watsonville, Calif. “Canadians eat more fruit and vegetables per capita than the U.S. and is an excellent market for strawberries and raspberries.”
California strawberries were granted market access to China last year. Carolyn O’Donnell, communications director for the California Strawberry Commission, Watsonville, said that market is expected to develop during the next few years. With 1.3 billion people, China is home to roughly 20% of the world’s population.
Driscoll’s is already there.
“A lot of people ask us about China,” said Tim Youmans, vice president of sales for Driscoll’s Inc., Watsonville. “But we produce in China for China. We already have product there.”
That’s not stopping numerous grower-shippers from working to access the sizeable export market. Canadian blueberries gained market access to China in 2016, and Peru followed early this year.
“Asia continues to be the region with the most demand for berries,” said Mario Flores, director of blueberry product management for Naturipe Farms LLC, Salinas, Calif. “China is a target for the future, and the industry — along with the U.S. trade representatives — are doing all we can to open markets, as berry demand is poised to increase in the future.”
Mark Villata, executive director of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, said Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore are the major offshore markets for U.S. blueberries, and added that there is room to grow in each of these markets.
He said the council is working to gain market access for U.S. fresh blueberries to China as well as the Philippines and Vietnam.
“These three markets currently allow shipments of frozen U.S. highbush blueberries but do not allow imports of fresh U.S. blueberries,” he said.
“They each offer strong potential, with China projected to be a major market once they start importing our fresh blueberries.”
The U.S. exported 79 million pounds of fresh blueberries valued at $138 million in 2014, according to the USDA. Canada was the top destination, followed by Japan.
Gourmet Trading Co., Redondo Beach, Calif., ships berries to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai, among others, said blueberry category manager Luciano Fiszman. “Asia has become a bit more competitive, but it represents a great window for our fruit.”
The U.S. exported a total of 57.6 million pounds of fresh raspberries valued at $175 million in 2014, according to the USDA. Canada, at roughly 90%, was again the leading destination.
