Global blueberry production to reach 3.4 million tonnes by 2029 as China leads expansion
Colombia, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, and Romania are emerging as countries where growers exhibit the highest levels of optimism and commercial enthusiasm.
GLOBAL – Global blueberry production has been projected to reach approximately 3.4 million tonnes by 2029, driven by rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific region, where China has emerged as the world’s largest producer.
The International Blueberry Organization’s 2026 report highlights unprecedented growth, with planted area doubling and volumes tripling over the past decade. Production is rapidly globalizing, with China and Peru leading supply, while fresh consumption dominates worldwide demand.
The Asia-Pacific region will lead global expansion, recording the fastest growth, with an estimated increase of around 60% by 2029. China has now surpassed 100,000 hectares under cultivation, twice the area of the United States, and is firmly established as the world’s largest blueberry producer.
Meanwhile, the Americas’ share of global production is below 50%, yet Peru remains the region’s engine of growth. It has overtaken the United States to become the world’s second-largest producer of fresh blueberries, after China.
Within the EMIA macro-region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), which is projected to grow by 40% by 2029, Morocco is the most disruptive success story. It has overtaken Spain in planted area and has already surpassed Mexico in total production volume, despite having only around 60% of Mexico’s acreage.
On the other hand, Colombia, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, and Romania are emerging as countries where growers exhibit the highest levels of optimism and commercial enthusiasm. Brazil and India are identified as key emerging markets towards which commercial volume expansion should be directed in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Turkey is experiencing significant growth, supported by robust domestic consumption and a strategic geographic position to serve the Middle East and the Black Sea region.
The biggest risks currently facing global blueberry production include climate change, unpredictable weather patterns such as El Niño, labour shortages, water scarcity, and rising operational costs.
The report concludes that efficient logistics, superior genetic varieties, and market segmentation programmes will be essential to meet rising international demand. Effective segmentation strategies are proving valuable for both growers and consumers, particularly when tailored to the specific characteristics of individual countries.
Maintaining a balance between supply and demand and optimizing operational efficiency have become essential to counter rising costs, which inflation exceeding 10% in some countries exacerbates.
Finally, the industry’s ability to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities will determine its long-term sustainability and profitability in the years ahead.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
