Colombia’s Blueberry Industry Grows with Eye on Global Markets
Colombia’s emerging blueberry sector is gaining momentum, with exports rising sharply in recent years and significant potential for future growth in international markets.
According to Agrilink, Colombia exported over 628 tonnes of blueberries in 2024, valued at US$3.3 million. This marks a dramatic increase from just 13 kilograms exported in 2016, signaling a promising trajectory for the industry.
Currently, Colombia has more than 766 hectares of land under blueberry cultivation, yielding an estimated 8,360 tonnes annually. The vast majority—around 95%—is consumed domestically. However, the Agricultural Rural Planning Unit (Upra) forecasts that the planted area could expand to between 3,000 and 5,000 hectares by 2026.
Industry analysts say the country is well-positioned to tap into high-value export markets, thanks in part to its capacity for year-round production and its geographic proximity to major consumer markets in the United States and Europe.
“Colombia’s journey with blueberries began roughly 25 years ago when the first planting materials, including the Biloxi variety, were introduced,” said Miller Preciado of Elite Blu. “However, the sector lacked technical sophistication at the time, and significant progress didn’t occur until 2017.”
That year marked the launch of more structured cultivation efforts in the Cundinamarca and Boyacá savannas—regions noted for their abundant water resources and concentrated agricultural labor. Today, these areas host the largest blueberry plantations in the country.
“The initial learning curve was steep, involving intense agricultural development. But we’ve reached a turning point,” Preciado noted. “We can now confidently say that Colombia’s ‘blue dream’ has truly begun.”
Among the varieties that have shown the strongest results are Biloxi, Ventura, Victoria, and Emerald. Growers are also experimenting with premium genetic materials from leading Latin American breeders to further improve crop quality.
Planting densities vary by variety, ranging from 5,500 to 9,000 plants per hectare. Colombian blueberries are also notable for their flavor profile, with an average Brix level of 13.4, indicating a high degree of sweetness.
“This natural sweetness enhances the fruit’s flavor profile and appeals to niche markets that appreciate the balance between acidity and sugar,” Preciado explained.
Colombian blueberries have already made inroads in several international markets. According to ProColombia, the main export destinations in 2023 were the United States (34.7% of total shipments), the Netherlands (10.8%), and Germany (8.5%).
With favorable growing conditions and strategic geographic advantages, Colombia’s blueberry industry is poised to expand further and make a lasting impression on global markets.
