Over the past 10 years, Peru has grown to become the second-largest producer of blueberries in the world after the United States and the world’s largest exporter. How did a country that produced almost no blueberries as late as 2010 manage this feat?
The answer lies in a strategic economic vision—driven by the private sector with significant public sector support—that capitalizes on favorable geographic and climatic conditions. Peru identified new markets that allowed it to offer blueberries out of season. It improved quality and expanded production through an action plan focused on technological innovations, pest control, and irrigation policies. These choices enabled Peru to scale up exports and very rapidly establish itself as a key player in the global blueberry trade. Its story provides lessons for developing countries seeking to build export industries and enter sometimes volatile international markets.