Having international flights is crucial to our business. Blueberries can be shipped via airplane and within a day or two of landing, be available at the country’s supermarket.  With the aid of nonstop international flights through Portland International Airport, we have been able to supply Japan since 1996, and more recently expand to  Singapore and Hong Kong as well as other Asian markets. If these international flights were not available, we would have a much smaller, more competitive market in which to sell our product.

Ventures in these international markets has also given us the opportunity to travel to and visit with our customers.  It is always a treat to sit down in a small izakaya (a small bar/restaurant that serves fresh, traditional dishes such as sashimi or–one of my favorites–a ramen noodle hot bowl) and discuss new business.

We thank the International Air Service Committee for supporting our business and look forward to more direct connections to other countries in the future.  With these continued flight partnerships, we look forward to showing the world what our state has to offer one blueberry at a time.

Jeff Malensky
Vice President, International Sales
Oregon Berry Packing, Inc.