Pictures of the Year International

To create these resilient varieties, scientists cross parent plants, germinate the seeds, and evaluate them over years to select the best individuals, which are then cloned and multiplied in vitro. Another goal in this genetic race is to produce 'jumbo' blueberries—making inch-long blueberries the norm—to boost yields and meet market expectations, particularly in Asia. Future growth expectations are now focused on the Asian market, especially China, following the launch of the new Chancay mega-port, which will reduce shipping time between Lima and Shanghai by 10 days. A container of Peruvian blueberries was the first to be shipped when this long-awaited project opened last November.