It has been more than 10 years since we set out on a journey, a completely new business for us in Peru. At university, we were taught that genotype (genes) plus environment equals phenotype (the visible expression of the genotype). With that background, we as growers in Peru agreed that, given conditions comparable to those of our neighbors in Chile, we could develop agriculture in the same way. We started a blueberry plant propagation business in Peru with varieties that Chile had been producing for more than 20 years and that we assumed could grow in our country. We imported all that experience and technology without taking the environmental factor into account, that is, the final result, which should be the phenotype.

More than 10 years have passed, and we used to think blueberries grew naturally and were suited only to our mountain range, to soils at 500-900 meters above sea level; however, we opened up new regions and our entrepreneurial spirit surprised us. The crop adapted very well to the Peruvian coast and desert. More than 10 years have passed, and we have learned to be detail-oriented, meaning we do what is necessary, but with precision, understanding what the plant needs: helping it with a container (that is, a rigid pot) and the right substrate, such as coconut fiber, which adapted perfectly to our climate because it provides oxygenation and an acidic medium, which is enough instead of giving the plant too many components. In the end, we concluded: less is more. As a national industry, it has helped us a great deal to broaden our outlook and learn from the hydroponic experience of our Mexican friends, the nutrition expertise of our Chilean friends, and the new varieties of our American and European friends.

If we maintain an attitude of humility and simplicity, sharing all this expertise and implementing the best practices and technological developments worldwide, Peru will remain at the forefront as the World Leader in blueberry production for export markets, always delivering the varieties and quality that consumers demand.

More than 10 years of hard work and learning have passed. It is knowledge I am pleased to share with the rest of our colleagues, friends and the entire Latin American growing community. Today, we know as much as we did when we started. More than 100 years will go by and we will still be learning and sharing.

LET’S GROW TOGETHER!