Champion of Chilean blueberries, Victor Moller Schiavetti, dies at 79

The International Blueberry Organization paid tribute to Víctor Moller Schiavetti, the president and founder of Hortifrut South America, who died on Oct. 19 at age 79.

“The global berry industry will forever be indebted to Victor Moller,” Peter McPherson, president of the IBO, said in a news release. “He was a true visionary and pioneer, and his legacy will live on forever. In blueberries, he helped elevate the category to where it is today, and the IBO thanks him for his long-standing service to the industry. He will be missed.”

In 1983, Moller founded Hortifrut, which played a vital role in developing global export markets from Chile. Over the course of his career, Moller received recognition for his vision, care for the company’s employees and ability to innovate and build long-lasting partnerships.

Moller pioneered exports of blueberries from Chile to the U.S., developing the berry category. By supplying North American consumers with fruit in winter, Moller made a huge contribution to the increase in blueberry consumption in the market. Moller also contributed to development of new blue berry genetics and sustainable growing programs. 

According to the IBO, under Moller’s leadership, Hortifrut became the largest blueberry sales platform in the world and the second-largest in the overall berry category because of long-lasting partnerships with growers around the world and through the co-founding of Naturipe Farms. In 2008, Hortifrut became the largest producer of organic blueberries in the world, winning the Produce Marketing Association's  Marketer of the Year Award.