Climate change is increasingly influencing the structure and competitiveness of the global blueberry industry. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and the growing frequency of extreme events such as droughts, heat waves, and frosts are altering both production patterns and commercial planning in key regions.

Blueberries are highly sensitive to thermal and water stress. Temperatures above 32°C reduce fruit size, firmness, and skin quality, while frosts during flowering can result in production losses of 15% to 40%. Water stress, especially in light or poorly drained soils, causes nutrient imbalances that reduce calcium and potassium uptake, impacting postharvest quality.

In producing regions such as Chile, Peru, and Morocco, limited water availability has prompted growers to shift toward heat-tolerant cultivars and modify harvest schedules. In temperate regions like the United States, Canada, Poland, and Germany, late frosts and heavy spring rains have disrupted flowering and fruit set.

The combination of droughts and high irrigation costs has reduced competitiveness in traditional producing countries such as Chile and Spain. Meanwhile, China, Southern Africa, and Eastern Europe are expanding blueberry cultivation through investment in fertigation, shading, and soil management systems. In North America, alternating El Niño and La Niña cycles have caused irregular rainfall and yield variability. Peru's 2023-2024 season saw a reduction of more than 40% in volumes due to heat stress, reinforcing the need for varieties adapted to warm and high-altitude environments.

The industry's adaptation strategies focus on genetic development and precision management. Breeding programs such as Fall Creek, Sekoya, OZblu, Planasa, and the University of Florida's IFAS have introduced cultivars with lower chilling requirements and higher heat tolerance while maintaining firmness, flavor, and size under stress. On-farm practices include shade nets, humidity sensors, remote-controlled drip irrigation, and biostimulants to mitigate heat stress. Artificial intelligence and satellite systems are increasingly used for real-time monitoring and fertigation control.

Soil and microbiome management, combined with the use of growth regulators, has been shown to reduce heat-related damage in Morocco, Mexico, and South Africa. The industry also faces pressure to maintain quality and sustainability standards as export markets demand stricter certification and carbon reporting.

Climate stress is becoming a defining factor for the sector. By 2030, global competitiveness will depend less on production costs and more on the capacity of each producing country to integrate climate adaptation and technological management into blueberry cultivation.

Source: Blueberries Consulting