Blueberries are one of the emerging products that stood out the most in 2020 in Colombia, as the value of exports reached one million dollars for the first time.
Camilo Lozano, legal representative of the Colombian Association of Blueberry Growers (Asocolblue), said that “this exponential growth is due, among other reasons, to the expansion of the acreage, the higher investment, the development of knowledge and technical assistance, and the work devoted to the opening of markets and meeting the necessary phytosanitary requirements.” Moreover, the boom in global demand and the product's nutraceutical characteristics are factors that have allowed new business opportunities to open up this year.
Currently, it is estimated that there are around 500 hectares planted, mainly in the Cundiboyacense region. In 7 to 10 years, this acreage is expected to grow to 5,000 hectares, according to Asocolblue.
In fact, according to data from ProColombia, the departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá have all the potential to achieve this, given their light and airy soils, acid pH (4.5 and 5.5) and low salinity. These are also at an altitude that allows optimal luminosity, and they have access to good quality water and the necessary amount of cold hours required by blueberries for their adaptation and proper growth. Here, the climatic variability between day and night is seen as a competitive advantage, since it allows a harvest with a better flavor and texture.
To this we must add that all the links in the logistics chain needed for the fruit's marketing have already been developed for flowers, paving the way for the berry's expansion.
15/12/2020
