Giumarra International Berry is preparing for the upcoming Chilean blueberry season and is anticipating higher volumes than those seen in 2011/12.
'We are looking forward to the upcoming Chilean blueberry season and we will have a complete Nature's Partner programme of blueberries from the Southern Hemisphere,' said Tom Richardson, general manager of Giumarra International Berry. 'Our sourcing team works continuously to ensure we have adequate supply, and our volumes will exceed last year's.
'The fresh berry category continues to be very profitable for our customers as consumption drives demand,' he added.
The division has marketed the company's blueberry and blackberry programmes since 2003, and Giumarra as a group has been importing berries from the Southern Hemisphere since the late 1990s, with a well-established grower network in Chile and Argentina, among others.
Richardson said that Giumarra expected early arrivals this season, with the first vessels set for the 3 December, while airfreighted fruit may arrive in mid-November and fruit will continue to arrive through until the North American season in April.
According to the group, it will also receive greater numbers of USDA certified organic blueberry supplies from Chile.
'We have ample organic supplies for customers interested in a programme,' Richardson added.
