Blueberries - Market Disruptions - Episode Summary

Behind every punnet of blueberries lies a story of extreme weather, shifting labor forces, disrupted logistics, and changing consumer behaviour. In this episode, we take a data-rich deep dive into the global supply chain behind blueberries—and why recent years have brought turbulence to what used to be a dependable crop.

From climate shocks in Peru 🇵🇪 and Spain 🇪🇸 to labor shortages in North America 🇺🇸 and rising shipping costs worldwide, we explore how each part of the system interlocks—and what happens when those parts break down.

Topics Covered

• Weather Disruptions: How droughts, frosts, and unseasonal heat affected major producing regions like Peru, Chile, Spain, and the U.S.
• Labor Shortages: Why hand-picking blueberries is still essential—and how a global labor crunch left some harvests uncollected.
• Logistics Breakdown: The impact of container shortages, shipping delays, and fumigation regulations on global trade flows.
• Price Volatility: A breakdown of price spikes during COVID-19, weather events, and post-pandemic logistics shocks.
• Consumer Resilience: Despite rising prices, demand has remained strong—why blueberries still make it into our baskets.

Notable Insights

• Peru’s 2023 harvest dropped by more than 50%, sending shockwaves through global supply.
• U.S. wholesale blueberry prices spiked 73% in April 2021 due to Southeast frost damage.
• In Ukraine, domestic prices rose over 60% in September 2023 due to reduced Peruvian imports.
• Despite these disruptions, consumer loyalty remained high—many buyers adjusted quantity, not preference.