According to local media reports, blueberries grown in Yunnan [3] have started entering the market. At the blueberry trading area of Kunming Jinma Zhengchang Fruit Market, Huaxiang blueberries (花香蓝莓) and the F6 variety were recently priced at 80–110 Chinese yuan ($11.31–15.55) per kilogram, while the No. 42 variety was priced at 90–115 yuan ($12.73–16.26) per kilogram. The current market supply primarily originates from Chengjiang, Yunnan’s core blueberry-producing region, which in 2024 covered 1,567 hectares of planted area and yielded an annual output of 30,000 metric tons, with the Huaxiang variety as the main contributor.

Local wholesalers noted that sales typically began in September in previous years, but this year the berries only started appearing in October. Early supplies are limited, and the taste tends to be sour, with bulk purchases not commencing until November. In past seasons, the Eureka variety was the most popular, but its supply has significantly declined this year, suggesting that consumers now prefer sweeter varieties. The main variety currently on the market is Huaxiang, while supplies of the F6 and No. 42 varieties have yet to increase.

After last season’s domestic blueberries exited the market during the summer, imported blueberries dominated. However, with the arrival of early-season Yunnan blueberries, this pattern is gradually changing. Imported blueberries mainly come from Peru [4], with about 60% being the Magica variety and Ventura and Sekoya Pop also seeing strong sales. The wholesale price of Peruvian Magica blueberries in 1.5-kilogram packs is around 120 yuan ($16.97), equivalent to 80 yuan ($11.31) per kilogram, roughly matching the mid- to lower-end prices of Huaxiang blueberries from Yunnan. However, their peak supply season overlaps with that of Yunnan blueberries, creating direct competition.

Price reductions have been key to enhancing the market competitiveness of early-season Yunnan blueberries. Owing to above-average rainfall, which slightly reduced sweetness, the price of Yunnan Huaxiang blueberries has fallen by 60 yuan ($8.48) per kilogram compared with last year, while prices for the F6 and No. 42 varieties have dropped by 10–20 yuan ($1.41–2.83) per kilogram, representing a substantial decline. Combined with the early-season advantage, these price adjustments have helped keep daily sales of Yunnan blueberries at a high level.

Based on past market trends, Yunnan blueberries are expected to enter their peak season in December. Once greenhouse-grown blueberries from Chengjiang and Honghe enter the market in bulk, supply increases severalfold. In particular, Honghe’s off-season production cycle runs from November to April. The region’s 12,000-hectare planting base has also obtained export certification, ensuring both overseas demand [5] and a stable domestic supply.

At the same time, supplies of imported blueberries are gradually entering their tail end, further shifting market dominance toward Yunnan blueberries. The price of Yunnan Huaxiang blueberries is expected to fall below 60 yuan ($8.48) per kilogram in December, while the promotion of high-end early-season varieties such as L25 and Sekoya Pop is likely to further divert demand away from imported premium blueberries.

In the long term, Yunnan blueberries hold clear advantages. They enter the market more than 50 days earlier than those from other provinces, with sugar content and firmness roughly 5% higher. Furthermore, greenhouse production costs are about 50% lower than in northern provinces, and the region’s cold-chain logistics network enables delivery to first-tier cities within 24 hours. Even at lower price points, producers still retain room for profit.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article [6].