Joy Wing Mau Provides Insights Into China’s Blueberry Industry

Recently, the 2025 China International Blueberry Conference was held in the city of Mile, Yunnan province. Dani Geng, director for blueberry products at Joy Wing Mau Fruit Technologies Group, delivered a keynote speech about China’s blueberry production landscape and the industry’s future development.

Against the backdrop of slowing commodity sales, consumers are increasingly seeking cost-effective products that offer strong value for money. Geng emphasized that blueberry sales should not only prioritize consumer experience and product quality but also rigorously uphold food safety standards to safeguard the reputation of the entire industry.

Between 2024 and 2025, both the planting area and production of blueberries in China experienced rapid growth. According to data from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products, the national blueberry cultivation area increased from 96,000 hectares in 2024 to 110,000 hectares in 2025, while production rose from 780,000 metric tons to 957,000 metric tons. This growth is largely being driven by Yunnan province, where the total blueberry cultivation area has reached 23,000 hectares, yielding 280,000 metric tons — an approximate 53% increase compared with last year.

The surge in domestic blueberry supply has positioned exports as a new growth driver for the industry. Data from China Customs show that China’s total blueberry exports reached 2,592 metric tons in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 156%. In just the first three quarters of this year, exports had already climbed to 6,099 metric tons, up 162.3% year on year. While exports were previously focused on Hong Kong and Singapore, they have gradually expanded to also include Malaysia and Russia, with particularly strong performance in Asian markets.

At the same time, blueberry imports have also grown significantly. In the first three quarters of this year, the import volume rose by approximately 81.6% year on year, with nearly all shipments originating from Peru and Chile. To compete with domestically grown blueberries from Yunnan, the market introduction of imported blueberries has been gradually advancing.

Geng further analyzed industry insights and development trends for domestic blueberries from both production and sales perspectives. He observed that the market launch of domestic blueberries has shifted earlier, moving from the traditional January–February period to October–December. However, the supply peak remains highly concentrated in March and April, with nearly half of the annual volume delivered during these two months, placing significant pressure on the industry. Extending the availability window and meeting market demand for northern highbush blueberries from May to September has therefore become a new opportunity that the industry urgently needs to explore.

Geng further outlined four major challenges facing the domestic blueberry industry:

• Rapid production growth is putting the entire blueberry supply chain under pressure, from harvesting and processing to cold-chain logistics and pricing.
• Climate change poses a widespread challenge to the global blueberry industry.
• The lack of unified industry standards, particularly with respect to quality and food safety, has restrained the stable and rapid growth of the blueberry market.
• The cultivation of patented varieties is crucial for the long-term development of the industry, and the legal framework governing this needs to be strengthened.

As consumer expectations for blueberry flavor, texture, packaging and usage grow, variety selection has become a key driver of brand competitiveness. Geng stressed that only the legal cultivation of patented varieties can ensure stable, long-term industry benefits. With rising awareness of intellectual property, breeding innovation and legal authorization are advancing to ensure quality and promote sustainable growth.

At present, domestic blueberries are still in a phase of rapid growth. Consumer demand plays an active role in driving the industry, but inconsistent cultivation practices and product standards mean that a large portion of potential consumer demand remains untapped. Geng emphasized that all industry participants are vital to the supply chain and collaborative efforts are essential to building a sustainable ecosystem and maximizing the industry’s overall value.

Image: China Fruit

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.