Blueberries for import: types, grades and cold chain

• The blueberry scope includes Vaccinium corymbosum, V. formosum, V. angustifolium, and V. virgatum.^[1]
• Bilberries, Vaccinium myrtillus, are listed separately from blueberries.^[1]
• Berry fruits must be sufficiently developed and display satisfactory maturity or ripeness.^[1]

• Southern highbush

  • Southern highbush blueberries are grown commercially in South Georgia and ripen early there; this is a regional production distinction.^[4]
  Request Southern highbushAdd to list

• Northern highbush

  • Northern highbush can be grown in North Georgia’s mountains but generally performs poorly farther south in Georgia because of insufficient winter chilling and hot summers.^[4]
  Request Northern highbushAdd to list

• Rabbiteye

  • Rabbiteye blueberries are native to Georgia; varieties span different ripening categories.^[4]
  Request RabbiteyeAdd to list

• FFV-57 imposes no minimum diameter or size code; a buyer’s millimeter threshold is an additional contract specification.^[1]
• Class I blueberries must be practically free of agglomerated berries and practically covered with bloom according to variety.^[1]
• Class I permits very slight juice leakage and very slight bruising if overall appearance and keeping quality are not affected.^[1]
• Class II permits slight juice leakage and slight bruising while essential quality and keeping characteristics are retained.^[1]
• Extra allows 5% by number or weight below class but meeting Class I, including no more than 0.5% in total of Class II quality.^[1]
• Class I allows 10% below class but meeting Class II, including no more than 2% in total below Class II or minimum requirements, or affected by decay.^[1]
• Class II allows 10% below class or minimum requirements, including no more than 4% in total affected by decay.^[1]
• Package contents must be uniform in origin, variety or species, and quality, subject to the standard’s provisions for berry mixtures.^[1]
• Extra and Class I berry fruits must be practically uniform in ripeness.^[1]
• The visible part of the contents must be representative of the entire package.^[1]
• Packages must protect the fruit and contain clean materials that do not cause internal or external damage.^[1]
• Markings include packer/dispatcher identification, origin, and class; the name of the berry fruit is required if contents are not visible.^[1]

• Peru’s June 2025 report describes nearly year-round harvest potential under its coastal growing conditions.^[3]
• In marketing year 2024/25, cooler winter conditions shifted Peru’s export peak to October–November.^[3]
• The report defines marketing year 2025/26 as May 2025–April 2026; a marketing year is not a harvest window.^[3]

• Blueberries have an optimum storage temperature of about 0 ± 0.5°C and a stated storage life of one to two weeks.^[2]
• Optimum relative humidity is 90–95% to reduce shriveling and water loss.^[2]
• Blueberries are climacteric and respond to ethylene, but should be harvested near full ripeness because flavor does not improve afterward.^[2]
• Removing ethylene from storage air may reduce disease development.^[2]
• Modified atmospheres of 15–20% carbon dioxide and 5–10% oxygen can slow decay, respiration, and softening; prompt cooling should precede atmosphere modification.^[2]
• Oxygen below 2% or carbon dioxide above 25% can cause off-flavors and brown discoloration, depending on cultivar, duration, and temperature.^[2]
• Botrytis can continue growing at 0°C, although very slowly.^[2]
• Damaged or diseased berries should be kept out of packages because decay can spread to neighboring fruit.^[2]

A higher class is defined by the reference standard below. Ask for it by name and agree how it is inspected.

• Extra Class requires superior quality and varietal characteristics under section II.C(i).^[1]
• Extra blueberries must be practically free of agglomerated berries and practically covered with bloom according to varietal characteristics.^[1]
• Only very slight superficial defects are permitted without affecting appearance, quality, keeping quality, or presentation.^[1]

1. 1State destination, delivery window, annual or seasonal volume, and shipment cadence.
2. 2Specify variety, quality class, size basis, and acceptance tolerances.
3. 3Describe pack format, net weight, labeling language, and pallet requirements.
4. 4Request harvest, packing, and temperature records with the proposal.
5. 5Ask for the destination-specific plant-health documents and market-access evidence.
6. 6Agree inspection method, sampling plan, and claims procedure before dispatch.

• Counter-season premium fruit programme

  For importers and retailers who want one request covering the main premium fruit lines of the off-season: cherries, blueberries and table grapes, with mangoes as an option.

  • Cherries
  • Table grapes
  • Mangoes (optional)

  Our guidance: Each fruit has its own storage temperature (see the sourced handling line under each product). Plan separate reefers or compartments where the ranges differ, rather than one mixed load.

  Add to request listKit details

• Requirements for blueberries depend on the product and on the origin and destination countries — check them for your own market before you commit.
• The producer or exporter is responsible for the product and shipment requirements; the buyer or importer for import permissions, local rules and its own due diligence.
• Certificates (for example GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS, ASC, BAP, organic or halal) are requested per offer and checked against the issuing body or official register. Global B2B Group does not manufacture, export or certify products and does not give legal advice.

How we handle trade compliance