Following the success of our table grape operations, we are proud to announce our expansion into a brand-new category: blueberries. Having reached a production scale in grapes that reliably supplies major global markets, we recognized a unique opportunity to channel new efforts into developing a fully compliant, vertically integrated operation from the ground up.
This month, harvesting has officially begun at our very first blueberry farm. Here is a closer look at what we are growing and what to expect this season.
A New Chapter of Growth in Peru
To achieve our goal of a 12-month supply cycle, we sought out one of the most ideal agricultural regions in the world. Our new farm is located in Pisco, Peru, just a few kilometers north of our current table grape production in Villacurí, Ica. This expansion into blueberries is a milestone we are incredibly proud of, as it creates year-round employment and development opportunities for our local communities.
Cutting-Edge, Large-Caliber Varieties
Just as the industry transitioned to new table grape genetics years ago, we recognized the same need in blueberries: finding varieties that offer an exceptional consumer experience and premium fruit quality without sacrificing shelf life. Our initial planting covers 550 hectares (1,375 acres), featuring carefully selected genetics that deliver on this promise:
The Varieties: Our primary variety is Fall Creek’s Apex, a strong competitor to Sekoya Pop that is already generating excellent feedback. The remaining fields feature MegaEarly, MegaCrisp, and MegaGem from IQ Berries—varieties that are also showing outstanding traits and receiving great reviews.
Jumbo Sizes: All four varieties consistently yield sizes of 18 mm or larger for 60–70% of the crop. This allows us to comfortably fulfill both traditional and jumbo SKUs for major retailers.
We have an additional 900 hectares secured for future plantings.
Worldwide Shipments Starting in June
Our inaugural Peruvian harvest begins this June and will provide availability through late December. As our plants mature over the coming years, this harvest window will expand even further, running from mid-May to early February.
Sales and distribution will flow through our well-established channels: Vanguard Direct for the US and Canada, and Vanguard International for all other global markets. Here is what buyers can look forward to this season:
Initial Air Freight: Available for late June arrivals, primarily catering to high demand in the Far East.
US Arrivals: Shipments will begin arriving in late July. While US retailers generally focus on domestic supply through August, our early start offers a premium, reliable sourcing alternative should local volumes fall short.
A Seamless Transition: As our fields reach full production, our late-season harvests will keep Peruvian blueberries on shelves until Mexican supply takes over, ultimately eliminating the need to bridge the gap with fruit from other origins.
We expect the majority of our harvest to supply our core retail partners in the Americas and Europe, alongside strategic shipments to the Middle East and Asia during peak demand windows. We are excited to share this new premium harvest with the world.
