Berries. blue berries, blueberries, fresh fruit, fruit production

Very few people are aware that the strawberry was first discovered in Chile. However commercial production of berries is a relatively recent development.

Raspberries were first cultivated in 1979, and are today the largest export berry, with blueberries, strawberries and blackberries the other main products.

Currently the US is the major export destination for these products. Europe is increasing its consumption of Chilean berries every year.

Varieties

These are grown mostly in the south of Chile, where the temperature and climate are good for producing sweet, firm fruit. Blackberries should be a uniform, brilliant, black colour, firm and well formed.

This is a round, firm fruit that has a deep purple to bluish color, with a white shine to the fruit.

The colours range from red to golden. The fruit should be well formed with a uniform colour which is an indicator that the fruit is ready to be eaten. Raspberries can be frozen for up to 10 months.

The only fruit that has its seeds exposed on the outside. It should be good-sized, moderately firm, uniformly red colour with green, fresh stalks.

Storage

It is always best to keep berries in cold storage. The best temperature is 32° F (0° C), ideally constant from time of picking, with a relative humidity of 90%

Raspberries are more easily harmed than blueberries and strawberries.

It is recommendable to refrigerate strawberries with their stalks.

Keep the fruit dry, and never store berries near meat or milk products, as the berries absorb these taints.

Display

Fruit should be well formed, dry, firm and uniformly of the same color.

Blueberries have a purplish-blue color to a black-blue colour, with a silver gray hue in the darkest sections.

This is a typical characteristic of the fruit and is not a sign of poor quality.

If the fruit is displayed in cases or in paper cartons, any evidence of juice may suggest the fruit is over-ripe.

Any damaged fruit should be removed after a daily quality check.

The berries should be kept in the delivery carton.

Display shelving should be kept clean and dry.

Region of Production