What Frozen Produce Buyers Are Watching at SIAL Paris 2026
SIAL Paris 2026 (October 17–21, Paris Nord Villepinte) brings the global food trade together again, and frozen produce buyers are arriving with a clear agenda: several key IQF lines are telling very different supply stories this season. Here is what the October market picture looks like from a buyer’s seat.
Strawberries: a split season by origin
October 2026 market reporting (FreshPlaza) shows strawberries diverging sharply by origin. Mexico is tight, Peru is running at normal levels, Chile is coming in below expectations, Egypt’s new season is on schedule, and Argentina continues to command an organic premium. For buyers, that means origin comparisons matter more than usual this year — availability and pricing will not move in the same direction everywhere, so locking a single-origin strategy early carries more risk than in a normal season.
Raspberries: a price gap worth watching
Raspberry pricing shows a notable spread. Chilean 90/10 raspberries are being quoted around $3.00–3.20/lb DDP Europe–Asia, while Mexican product is available near $2.25/lb FOB Texas. Buyers weighing landed cost against quality specifications will be running the math on this gap throughout the show — the spread is wide enough to reshape sourcing decisions for 2026/27 programs.
Wild blueberries: sold out and waiting
The wild blueberry crop is down roughly 40%, and North American spot supply is largely sold out. Chilean quotes are not expected until early January, leaving buyers with a simple choice: those who covered early are sitting comfortably, while everyone else is waiting on the next origin to open. Expect this to be one of the most talked-about lines on the show floor.
Blackberries: Mexico firms up
Mexican Grade A blackberries are approaching $1.20/lb FOB Texas, firming as the season develops. Buyers with blackberry programs will be watching whether this level holds into the new year.
What buyers are doing about it
Three themes keep coming up in buyer conversations this season:
- Coverage vs. patience: on tight lines like wild blueberries, early coverage wins; on split lines like strawberries, waiting for the right origin may pay off.
- Spec discipline: when supply is uneven, clear specifications (grade, cut, packaging) separate the suppliers who can deliver from those who cannot.
- Supplier diversification: buyers are spreading programs across origins and suppliers rather than concentrating risk.
As an IQF frozen fruit supplier and IQF frozen vegetable supplier, we watch these market shifts closely because they shape how our customers plan. If you are reviewing your frozen produce program for the coming season, our team can walk through availability, specifications, and timing — contact us at [email protected].
Market figures cited from October 2026 industry reporting; prices move with the market and should be confirmed at time of inquiry.
