Los Angeles, CA

Giumarra International Berry is preparing for the upcoming import blueberry season, expecting an increased volume from the 2011-12 season.

“We are looking forward to the upcoming Chilean blueberry season and we will have a complete Nature’s Partner program of blueberries from the Southern Hemisphere. Our sourcing team works continuously to ensure we have adequate supply, and our volumes will exceed last year’s,” says Tom Richardson, general manager. “The fresh blueberry category continues to be very profitable for our customers as consumption drives demand.”

The company has marketed the blueberry and blackberry programs since 2003. Giumarra has been importing berries from the Southern Hemisphere since the late 1990s and has a well-established grower network in Chile and Argentina, among others.

Richardson notes that he expects early arrivals this season, with the first vessel arrivals scheduled for the week of December 3. Air-freight fruit may arrive as early as mid- November. Fruit will continue through to the start of the U.S. season in April, when Giumarra begins offering a complete North American blueberry program.

Giumarra says the company will also see an increase in USDA Certified Organic blueberry supplies from Chile. First shipments are expected to arrive in mid-December and continue through April.

“We have ample organic supplies for customers interested in a program,” says Richardson.