Blueberries are “no longer a speciality item”, according to a leading global marketer of the fruit.
Robert Verloop, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Naturipe Farms, told a meeting of 600 blueberry industry delegates in Chile that the fruit is “poised to be a mainstay on the family table”. He was speaking at a seminar hosted by the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association and ministry of agriculture.
Verloop said he expected global availability of blueberries to double over the next five years. Chilean growers should build real and perceived value by developing the best new varieties, increasing pack sizes and building relationships with the best retailers, he said.
