Peruvian blueberry exports are expanding, evidence of competitiveness in international markets

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the stability of Peruvian blueberry export prices and firm competitiveness, approximating price stability through the standard deviation of the unit export price (FOB/kg) and the export price index (IPEX). A quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental design with a cross-sectional time-series approach was applied, using the full set of customs transaction records processed in AZATRADE for 2015–2025 and tariff code 0810400000, with data cleaning procedures intended to reduce unit-value bias. Results showed strong sector expansion: FOB value increased from USD 99.9 million to USD 2,470.2 million and export volume from 10.9 thousand to 377.5 thousand tons, alongside greater market diversification (from 20 to 50 destinations) and declining firm concentration (HHI from 33.8 to 4.7; exporting firms from 24 to 155). Meanwhile, the average export price declined from USD 9.2 to USD 6.5 and the IPEX decreased from 100.0 to 71.2, with a partial rebound in 2023. The study concluded that competitiveness was mainly driven by scale and market expansion under structurally downward price pressure, making price stability a strategic capability rather than a passive outcome. Recommendations included shipment scheduling, destination-based size/format segmentation, stronger commercial agreements, institutionalized data-homogenization protocols, and enhanced cold-chain and logistics investments to reduce quality-related discounts and effective price dispersion.