Blueberry production in South America

Cultivated blueberry species were introduced to South America in the 1980s to evaluate their potential as a new fruit crop for the region. In 1993, Chile had 580 ha planted to blueberries and only few commercial hectares were reported in Argentina. Since then, the blueberry industry has grown very rapidly in these two countries. In 2003/04 Chile had 2500 ha and exported 9666 t of fruit. Argentina had 1200 ha and exported 900 t of blueberry. This rapid increase in surface area and fruit production is due mainly to good prices in the off-season fresh market, both in North America and Europe, and also to the increasing demand for blueberry worldwide. Argentina and Chile harvest their fruit from the end of September to April, and over 95% of their production is for the export market as fresh fruit. Brazil and Uruguay have also started commercial plantings of blueberries in recent years. Brazil has 25 ha planted in the southeast part of the country and Uruguay reported 100 ha of newly established plantings in 2004. This report describes the highbush (southern and northern) and rabbiteye blueberry production in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Cultivars, production systems, projected growth, yield, markets, harvesting methods, production problems, research programs and limitations for the future are presented.