Latest News From Blueberries

Sekoya is an in-demand variety platform that retailers ask for by name, having earned a reputation for excellence thanks to its consistently high-quality blueberries, says the family-owned greenhouse business.

Peruvian blueberry exports in the 2023-24 marketing year (May 2023 to April 2024) will be down more than 40%, the USDA reports.

Los Angeles-based Agrovision, a year-round supplier of berries and cherries, says it's on a mission to intertwine sustainable agribusiness with ecological preservation, societal empowerment and global health improvement.

Here's why they expect to see ample volume of good-quality strawberries, blueberries and blackberries during the late winter and early spring period.

The Los Angeles-based producer says it has become the third-largest grower of blueberries in Peru, capturing a leading position in the global premium blueberry market.

Naturipe says retailers can take advantage of peak volumes during its FeBLUEary promotional campaign.

Mexico’s blueberry production in 2024 is forecast to rise 8% over 2023, according to a new USDA report.

Organic blueberry sales and volume were both up in 2022, according to retail numbers from Circana.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee, together with iQonsulting, has updated its export estimate for the 2023-2024 season, forecasting exports of 76,500 tons of fresh blueberries.

Efforts are underway to ensure that Chilean-grown blueberries meet the same quality standards as U.S. blueberries, industry sources say.

Farmer-owned berry producer and marketer Naturipe Farms says it will have promotable volume of its jumbo blueberry pack Mighty Blues to close out the year.

Based on the most recent field projections, executives with Traverse City, Mich.-based North Bay Produce anticipate the peak of Chilean arrivals to be in early-mid January.

A new Sweet Selections product line will feature strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry varieties bred for ‘exceptional flavor,’ says producer.

Representing a 7% decline from the October forecast, the Chilean Blueberry Committee of ASOEX  now forecasts exports of 76,500 tons of fresh blueberries in the 2023-24 season.

The Packer recently submitted questions about the upcoming Chilean blueberry season to Nader Musleh, director of International Business Development at California Giant Berry Farms.

Wish Farms expects Chilean blueberry volume for the 2023-24 season to be comparable to the previous season, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager.

U.S. imports of Chilean blueberries totaled 45,982 metric tons in 2022, up from 42,458 metric tons in 2021 and up from 42,608 metric tons in 2020.

The observations come from a USDA Economic Research Service report examining changes in domestic production, consumption, prices and trade for strawberries and blueberries over two decades.

After recent tariff lifts on apples, walnuts and almonds, India has slashed tariffs for additional U.S. exports, including include blueberries and cranberries, signaling increased opportunities for American producers.

Representatives in Washington D.C., enjoyed blueberries during the first National Blueberry Month this July, whether through tasting berry-laden treats or advocating for agriculture policy.

The North American Blueberry Council will hold its Blueberry Summit in Savannah, Ga., Sept. 27-29.

“A very nice crop overall with good quality and sizing" is expected, said Joe Vargas, director of business intelligence for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

The Organic Fresh Trends 2023 survey showed that 16% of consumers said they purchased organic blackberries exclusively, 15% purchased organic strawberries exclusively, and 14% purchased organic blueberries exclusively.

The North American blueberry advocacy group is urging Congress to support specialty crop producers with current employment challenges by passing reintroduced workforce legislation.

Grigg is leading global market expansion and overseeing the supply chain for the Chicago-based berry marketer and distributor.

Selma, Calif.-based Farm to Table Berries is integrating blueberry breeding into the company's blueberry marketing efforts.

This is how blueberry prices are bumping up and dipping down at retail, according to data from Agtools.

Naturipe will have plentiful berry supplies this summer, says Jim Roberts, president of sales for the Naples, Fla.-based marketer of both conventional and organic fruit.

California Giant Berry Farms is anticipating promotable yields of blueberries out of Oregon, British Columbia and Washington state in July and August.

Retailers can promote blueberries any week of the year, and they do.

Naturipe Farms is kicking off the summer season with promotable volumes of its blueberries from New Jersey, Michigan, and the Pacific Northwest, according to a news release.

With expectations of a “fantastic” crop, Naturipe Farms is expecting a peak supply of Michigan blueberries from mid-July through mid-August.

With imports now accounting for nearly 60% of total blueberry supplies, blueberry consumption has seen big gains in recent years.

Like cooling overheated crowds on a hot day, Michigan State University researchers have found that blueberry bushes need misters to cool down and bear fruit.

The North American Blueberry Council is applauding congressional action that supporters say could potentially allow U.S. farmers to compete on level terms with other blueberry exporting countries in Japan.

The USDA reports that the gains in retail per capita consumption for berries have been very strong compared with many other fresh fruits.

The Traverse City, Mich.-based marketer will have a robust spring and summer berry deal with good volumes and availability, says Ryan Lockman, vice president of sales and procurement.

“What can't berries do?” says Mike Mauti, managing partner with Canada-based Execulytics Consulting. Industry experts recently offered reasons for berries' sales growth and sustained consumer appeal.

Average fob berry prices in the U.S. declined for strawberries, blueberries and raspberries in 2022, while the average fob for blackberries climbed.

Naturipe will have very strong supplies of berries throughout the spring and summer of 2023, says Jerry Moran, vice president of sales for the Watsonville, Calif.-based marketer.

Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.

Canada-based sustainable packaging supplier CKF Inc. is partnering with Belmark Inc. to support a Canadian retail trial with blueberries supplied by The Fruitist.

North Carolina’s berry season is anticipated to bridge the gap between growing seasons in Mexico and the Pacific Northwest, with blueberries starting in late April.

The second annual South American Blueberry Convention will be held at the Monticello Conference Center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, on April 18.

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company achieved avocado volume growth of 14% in the first quarter ended Jan. 31, outpacing the industry as a whole, says Founder and CEO Steve Barnard.

In this newly created role, Alyssa Houtby will lead the council’s advocacy efforts and will work closely with Monument Advocacy, the North American Blueberry Council’s Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm.

The San Joaquin Valley-based organic fresh produce marketing company is moving into the conventional space and building out its berry category with the acquisition.

Southeast berry grower-shippers say they should have a decent-size crop of good-quality blueberries and blackberries this spring as long as the weather remains favorable.

The Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is encouraging consumers to make heart-smart choices — like grabbing a boost of blue — in February for American Heart Month.

The Salinas, Calif.-based grower-shipper expects promotable volumes of its organic and conventional varieties in the beginning of the year through March, with the largest quantities in February.