From March 23-31, 2019, USHBC Export Program Manager Alicia Adler traveled to South Korea and Malaysia to meet with importers, retailers and foodservice operators ahead of the season. In South Korea, Ms. Adler joined USHBC in-country representatives, Mr. Ken Yang and Ms. Hyewon Shin of Korea Business Services Inc., in hosting a trade seminar for importers and retail buyers to draw attention of the upcoming fresh blueberry season and highlight promotional opportunities for both fresh and frozen blueberries.
In Malaysia, Ms. Adler joined USHBC in-country representative Ms. Retna Malar of All About Fresh Produce and Mr. Alan Schreiber of the Washington Blueberry Commission to assess market trends and discuss promotional opportunities among the retail and foodservice sectors.
South Korea has emerged as the largest export market for frozen highbush blueberries, and Malaysia represented the highest growth rate of imported fresh U.S. blueberries in the Southeast Asian region. Although export volume to the region remains low due to low consumer awareness and competition from other origins, USHBC is confident that increased promotion throughout the region will raise demand and access for U.S. highbush blueberries.
Learn more about USHBC Export Programs at ushbc.org/export.
