Chilean blueberries roll into U.S.

Chilean blueberries roll into U.S.    The Chilean Blueberry Committee (CBC) expects rising export volumes of blueberries from this year’s crop to the United States will substantially surpass 2009-2010 shipments.
   Chilean blueberry exports are set to exceed last year’s 49,793 tons by more than 22 percent, the trade group said.
   CBC reports blueberry shipments to date are running nearly 4 percent ahead of estimates, with one-third of the total crop, or 20,862 metric tons, shipped.
   The United States is expected to receive about 82 percent of the this year’s export crop. CBC is also targeting Europe and Asia this season.
   Blueberry harvest has ended in Chile’s northern areas and is nearly complete in Chile’s central zone. The south-central regions are shipping most of the current berries, and harvest is beginning in the southern zone.
   CBC was formed in May 2009 by the largest Chilean blueberry exporting companies within the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association. CBC comprises 28 exporter organizations, representing more than 87 percent of last season’s total fresh blueberry exports. It works with the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association to boost Chilean fresh blueberry sales throughout the world.