The city of Santarém, Portugal, will once again become the epicenter of the blueberry sector with the celebration of the 14th National Meeting of Blueberry Producers, organized by the National Association of Blueberry Producers (ANPM).
This event has established itself as one of the leading platforms for technical exchange among producers, researchers, consultants, and companies linked to the berry industry in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe.
Over two days, the meeting will bring together national and international specialists to analyze the main challenges facing the sector, share technical advances, and discuss the trends that will shape the future of blueberry production.
A Growing Sector with New Challenges
In recent years, blueberry cultivation has experienced significant expansion in Europe. The growing consumer interest in healthy foods, along with the development of new varieties and more efficient production systems, has driven the growth of this crop in various countries.
In this context, Portugal has positioned itself as one of the emerging players in the European blueberry landscape, thanks to favorable agro-climatic conditions and increasing professionalization within the sector.
However, the industry’s growth also brings new challenges. The need to improve fruit quality, optimize post-harvest shelf life, and meet the demanding standards of international markets has become a priority for producers and exporters.
The 14th National Blueberry Producers Meeting will address these issues through a technical program focused on innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Among the topics to be covered during the event are:
- Innovations in agronomic management of the crop
- Development and adaptation of new varieties
- Strategies for sustainability and resource efficiency
- Technologies applied to production and post-harvest
- Evolution of international blueberry markets
- Quality and post-harvest: keys to competitiveness
- Among the featured presentations on the program is the talk by Paula del Valle, an international specialist in quality, post-harvest, and innovation in the blueberry industry.
During her presentation, Paula Del Valle will address a topic of great relevance to the sector: the behavior of the fruit after harvest and the importance of aligning production with market requirements to improve the final quality and shelf life of the blueberry.
In an increasingly competitive global market, fruit quality depends not only on field management. Factors such as variety, harvest time, handling during harvesting, and storage and transport conditions directly influence the fruit’s behavior after harvest.
The presentation will analyze how decisions made during the production phase impact the final quality of the blueberry and its ability to maintain firmness, flavor, and appearance throughout the supply chain.
It will also highlight the importance of integrating post-harvest management from the design of the production system, considering the specific requirements of different markets and commercial destinations.
This comprehensive approach allows for reduced losses, improved quality consistency, and ensures that the product reaches the end consumer in optimal condition.
Aligning Production, Quality, and Market
One of the central messages of Paula Del Valle’s presentation will be the need to align production strategy with the actual requirements of the market.
The growth of international blueberry trade has considerably raised the quality standards demanded by importers and distribution chains. In this context, the ability to maintain fruit quality during long transport periods has become a determining factor for commercial success.
Adopting strategies that integrate agronomic management, varietal selection, and post-harvest technologies will allow producers to improve competitiveness and respond more efficiently to market demands.
A forum for the future of blueberries in Europe
Over its fourteen editions, the National Blueberry Producers Meeting, organized by the Associação Nacional de Produtores de Mirtilo (National Blueberry Producers Association), has established itself as a benchmark for knowledge exchange and discussion of the challenges facing the industry.
The participation of international experts like Paula del Valle reinforces the global nature of the event and reflects the growing importance of technical collaboration to promote the sustainable development of the sector.
In a context of expansion
In the global blueberry market, events like this one allow for the generation of new ideas, the sharing of experiences, and the promotion of innovative solutions that contribute to improving the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of European production.
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