The Argentinean Blueberry Committee released adjusted estimates for the nation’s exports Friday, following a destructive tornado on Oct. 11 in Concordia.
Total blueberry exports were forecast at slightly over 11,000 metric tons (MT), down from 15,000 MT in 2012.
Volume to date has been notably down compared to last season. In week 41, Argentina reported 588MT in exports, compared to 1,100MT during the same week in 2012.
Export volume from week 35 to week 41 totaled 894MT, compared to 2,300MT in 2012.
Initial tornado and hail damage estimates placed production in Concordia at a 50% loss.
On Friday, the Argentine Ministry of Agriculture declared a state of emergency in four provinces, Mendoza, San Juan, Catamarca and Río Negro. The decision comes as the combined result of drought, storms and frost.
