The global demand and subsequent supply of blueberries has been growing significantly in recent years, which has had many effects on the retail end including new points of sale and even the opening of new geographic markets. Another result is the continually evolving package of choice for the blue superfood.
Thanks to the on-the-go trend, blueberries are increasingly sold in unique packages, including cups and mini buckets. When buying for home consumption, another growing trend is the increase in container size; industry experts have observed that the formerly popular 4.4oz pack now “basically no longer exists”.
Increased production volumes are being reflected in increased package sizes, and formats which have led to success in the past may no longer be effective solutions. Anticipating format trends can be key in the highly dynamic blueberry market.
Of course, this also requires that packing production be extremely flexible, allowing producers to pack in a wide variety of containers, depending on the season and national market served, as well as adapting to new package formats which may develop at any time. Specifically designed flexible packing lines have helped many areas, such as the Huelva region of Spain, become powerful production and export zones.