Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) Fresh Blueberry Market

The Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) fresh blueberry market was valued at USD 1,075.7 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,693.5 Million by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Blueberries are known as king of antioxidant fruits. They are often labeled as superfoods, as they are rich in nutrients, low on calories, convenient, and are good for the health. Furthermore, blueberries can be eaten fresh or incorporated into a variety of recipes, as they are sweet and impart a beautiful purple-blue hue to the food.

They can also be purchased frozen. Various benefits associated with blueberries include protection against cancer and heart diseases, helps maintain mental health, maintain blood pressure, and improves bone strength. Blueberries comprise of a plant compound known as anthocyanin, which give blueberries their color and several other health benefits. One cup of blueberries gives 24% of a person daily recommended allowance of vitamin C.

Fresh Blueberry Market Dynamics

Blueberries are rich in vitamin C & K, fiber, and manganese. The preference for blueberry food products is increasing owing to rising health consciousness, as blueberries reduces the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and overall mortality. Additionally, blueberries promote skin and hair health, weight loss, and increase energy, which in turn, is driving the demand for blueberry. Growing use of blueberry in healthy snacks is projected to boost the fresh blueberry market growth.

Blueberries have antioxidants such as anthocyanin, which helps in keeping memory sharp with age and of anti-cancer properties. Blueberries are a good sources of fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Consumers are moving toward soft fruit shelf owing to the increasing awareness about super fruits. These are some of the major factors that are expected to drive the consumption of fresh blueberries during the forecast period.

Rising health awareness and healthy lifestyle help prevent long-term illnesses and chronic diseases. Blueberries have several benefits such as protection against heart disease and cancer, maintaining mental health, bone strength, and healthful blood pressure. Increasing awareness about health-related concerns, rising awareness about blueberries as a natural functional food, and growing adoption of healthy lifestyle are projected to boost the market growth.

The geriatric population is increasing at an unprecedented rate and increasing healthcare costs, which in turn, is fueling consumption of blueberries, as they protect against oxidative inflammation and stress in aging. Additionally, blueberries exert their effects directly on the brain through changes in cellular signaling. Nutritional interferences containing polyphenolics in blueberries, which slow down the aging of the brain, and prevents the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Damages caused to fresh fruits and products lead to increased water loss and postharvest decay. Punctures, cuts, abrasions, bruising, and crushing cause substantial quality losses. Loss of fruit quality during postharvest handling is the result of physiological breakdown, decay, and dehydration. Fruits must be of high quality to maximize storage life. High quality of blueberries depends on factors including cultural practices, cultivar, rising environment, and harvest practices. Quality loss during postharvest handling is projected to hamper the market during the forecast period.

Prices of fresh blueberries are high owing to the high labor costs. The price of blueberries is higher in the Middle East & Africa as compared to other regions, as blueberry exports are being disrupted owing to limited air freight availability, and high air freighting rates, which in turn is expected to hamper the fresh blueberry market during the forecast period.

Shelf life of fresh vegetables and fruits is significantly influenced by environmental conditions. Rising temperature generally results in accelerated shelf-life reduction and loss of quality. Improvements in logistic and packaging by developing methods to use air temperature for highest shelf-life and to prevent them from damage, cuts, abrasions, bruising, and crushing, is projected to create opportunities for market players to increase their production and improve supply chain during the forecast period.

Blueberries are popular globally owing to the health benefits associated with the fruit. Cultivation of blueberries needs an annual chilling of 800 to 1,200 hours and acidic soils with a pH value of around 4.2 to 5; therefore, it can be cultivated in high hills. In India and China, blueberry farming is limited and emerging market players in these countries are expected to experience huge future potential due to its health benefits and antioxidant properties. Growing blueberries with correct cultivation practices in India and China is expected to create opportunities in the market during the forecast period.

Fresh Blueberry Market Segment Insights 

On the basis of nature, the Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) fresh blueberry market is bifurcated into organic and conventional. The organic segment held 25.8% share of the market in 2019 owing to the increasing consumption of natural and minimally processed food. The conventional segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period owing to its low prices and more supply than organic blueberries.

Based on distribution channels, the Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) fresh blueberry market is classified as hypermarkets/supermarkets, departmental stores, retail stores, and online channel. The hypermarkets/supermarket segment accounted for 47.2% share of the market in 2019 and is expected to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The online segment is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period owing to increasing online shopping to avoid crowded places and physical contact.

On the basis of end-uses, the market is classified as business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumers (B2C). The business-to-business (B2B) segment is further divided into sauces and dressings, bakery & confectionery, snacks & savory products, ice creams, and others. The B2B segment accounted for 27.1% share of the market in 2019 and is expected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the rising occurrence of health problems associated with food products, increasing vegan and flexitarian population, and high consumer preference for functional food. The B2C segment is projected to expand at a significant pace during the forecast period, as blueberry contains various vitamin and minerals, which are beneficial for hair, skin, and eyes.

Regional Outlook

In terms of geographies, the fresh blueberry market is fragmented into Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Europe is a promising region of the market. The region constituted 95.2% share in 2019. The market in this region is expected to grow due to increasing awareness regarding health among consumers. The market in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period owing to the increasing trend of healthy snacking.

The market in Europe is expected to grow at a substantial pace during the forecast period due to increasing preference for food products containing blueberries owing to rising awareness regarding health and benefits of consuming blueberries such as reduction in the risk of obesity, heart diseases, diabetes, and overall mortality.

Key Benefits for Industry Participants & Stakeholders

• In-depth analysis of the Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) fresh blueberry market
• Historical, current and projected market size in terms of value (USD million), volume (tons)
• Potential & niche segments and regions exhibiting promising growth covered
• Industry drivers, restraints and opportunities covered in the study
• Recent industry trends and developments
• Competitive landscape & strategies of key players
• Neutral perspective on Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) fresh blueberry market performance

Segments

Natures

• Organic
• Conventional

Distribution Channels

• Hypermarkets/ Supermarkets
• Departmental Stores
• Retail Stores
• Online Channel

End-uses

• Business to Business (B2B)
  • Sauces and Dressings
  • Bakery & Confectionery
  • Snacks & Savory
  • Ice Creams & Shakes
  • Others
• Business to Consumers (B2C)

Regions

• Europe
  • Romania
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Rest of Europe 
• India
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • UAE
  • Morocco
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Key Players 

• AGRAL PROD S.R.L.
• Berry Plantation BETEC
• BERRYNEST SAT H-0023
• BlueBerry LLC
• Blueberryfields bvba
• Dealul cu Afine S.R.L.
• Family Garden LLC
• Qualiprim
• Winterwood Farms Ltd.
• The Summer Berry Company

Competitive Landscape

• Key players in the Europe, India, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) fresh blueberry market include AGRAL PROD S.R.L., Berry Plantation BETEC, BERRYNEST SAT H-0023, BlueBerry LLC, Blueberryfields bvba, Dealul cu Afine S.R.L., Family Garden LLC, Qualiprim, The Summer Berry Company, and Winterwood Farms Ltd. aims at expanding its export network in Europe for increasing its domestic and regional market share.
• Berry Plantation BETEC implements sustainable practices in its business, which includes various packaging choices and transportation alternatives for its wide range of berries.
• BERRYNEST SAT H-0023 is focused on increasing its market penetration in North America with the addition of numerous wholesalers and retailers in its distribution network.
• BlueBerry LLC focuses on expanding its organic farming options and offerings in Ukraine.
• Blueberryfields bvba focuses on expanding its area of blueberry farming operations and making significant improvements in its distribution channels.