Peru Targets China as Fruit Export Routes Shift
Latin America’s fruit supply chains are undergoing a major shift as exporters respond to rising production and geopolitical uncertainty.
In Peru, a leading global blueberry supplier, producers are eyeing China as a strategic alternative to the US market, which faces the threat of renewed tariffs under the Trump administration.
One of Peru’s largest blueberry exporters, which traditionally ships 60% of its crop to the US, now plans to redirect 10% of this year’s harvest to China. This pivot reflects broader efforts by Peruvian agricultural exporters to diversify amid a forecasted 25% increase in the blueberry harvest, which is expected to reach 400,000 tons.
The appeal of China is enhanced by logistical improvements, especially the opening of the Chancay port in November. In April, Cosco launched a direct route to Guangzhou, slashing transit times to about 20 days and reducing shipping costs—key factors that exporters call a “game-changer.”
However, while Peruvian growers are shifting focus toward China, Chilean cherry exporters are moving in the opposite direction, aiming to expand sales in the US, Europe, and Brazil to reduce their heavy dependence on Asian markets.
In 2024, China received 90% of Chile’s cherry exports, but while shipment volumes increased, prices dropped by over 30% compared to 2023. The downturn was compounded by a major logistical setback involving the ‘Maersk Saltero’, which broke down en route to China with five million boxes of cherries on board, leading to estimated losses of up to $130 million.
With Peru gaining ground in table grapes and holding the top blueberry export spot since 2021, competition with Chile in global fresh produce markets is intensifying.
