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According to foreign media reports, China's blueberry industry is entering a new phase, with a 35% increase in production and improved quality due to technological advancements. In the online sales sector, domestically produced blueberries have surpassed imported ones. Yunnan is leading the way, with companies focusing on cultivating sweeter varieties to cater to Chinese consumers' tastes.

As the harvest season approaches, China's blueberry industry is entering a new growth stage. According to the latest industry data, domestic production is expected to reach 1.2 million tons, a 35% year-on-year increase. This growth is not only quantitative: thanks to technologies such as substrate cultivation and digital monitoring, nine key quality indicators have improved comprehensively, including the sugar-acid ratio and flowering period levels, with the rate of qualified fruits increasing from 68% to 91% within a year.

Yunnan, as one of the main blueberry production regions in China, currently accounts for nearly 30% of the national total. With the upcoming harvest season, local blueberries will gradually hit the market starting in November. Manda, a sales director at a domestic company, explained: "Yunnan is one of the best regions in the world for producing fresh blueberries. The significant temperature difference between day and night, combined with the suitable climate, results in blueberries with firm texture and bright color, giving them a clear quality advantage in China."

The company has expanded its blueberry cultivation area in Yunnan to 200 hectares, with this year's production doubling compared to the previous season. In terms of varieties, the company mainly uses four types: M8, M9, L42, and Bianca, to meet the needs of different markets.

"M8 has a very unique floral aroma, is very sweet, and has an excellent taste, so we consider it a premium variety. M9 combines sweetness and crispness, with a flower cluster coverage rate of over 90%, giving it a great commercial appearance. L42 is characterized by large and sweet fruits, with a diameter of over 20 mm, and in some cases up to 26 mm. Bianca is a new variety we introduced this year, with a diameter of 15 to 20 mm, offering a fresh and sweet taste; it will be available in December," he explained.

Regarding prices, Yunnan blueberries vary in price depending on market supply and demand. They are slightly lower than last season, mainly due to more concentrated production and optimized supply chains. Manda added: "Overall, prices follow the usual seasonal pattern: higher at the beginning and more moderate towards the end."

In terms of external markets, blueberries are exported to Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Middle East, with different markets having different preferences. Customers who focus on taste and appearance tend to choose M8, while those who require larger fruit sizes prefer L42. M9 and Bianca perform well in distribution channels, mainly targeting the wholesale market, he added.

With the rise in domestic demand, the number of producers in Yunnan is also increasing. Manda pointed out that compared to some imported varieties, local producers are more focused on catering to Chinese consumers' tastes.

"Our main varieties are sweeter, which is preferred by the domestic market, while some South American varieties are more sour. Additionally, 70% of our cultivation areas use standardized management systems." Although some local varieties may be slightly more expensive than imported ones, their quality and stability offer better value for money. This has been reflected in the e-commerce sector: domestic blueberries are more favored, and their market share now far exceeds that of imported products.

Despite the increase in blueberry production, China's per capita blueberry consumption is still far below that of developed countries, less than one-tenth of theirs. In Manda's view, this indicates that there is still significant room for market development. "Competition will become more intense, but the future will depend on quality and brand. Standardized cultivation and technological advancements will be key to ensuring long-term sustainable development," he said.