The size of fruit and of crops really varied, with Bluecrop only two picks in
Mark Sweeney
some cases. Sweeney noted that growers often don’t realize what a difference there is until they see a crop that has set well. A short supply of frozen
blueberries meant there was good demand for berries, which helped to push prices up to $1.60 a pound, compared to $.90 a pound last year. He warned that such prices are not likely to be sustained, so he recommends to anyone considering going into blueberries, “do your homework beforehand.”
There’s still a lot of blueberry acreage still coming into production too, he warned.
Eventually, all blueberry-growing areas will have a good crop year and prices will drop.
This year some areas in the East had a short crop, which helped prices stay higher.
He estimated the value of this year’s blueberry crop at $150 million at the farm gate; double that at the retail level.
“It’s a significant industry,” he commented.
There are more than 800 blueberry growers.
Most raspberry growers grow blueberries as well now, he said. The strawberry crop was also late and suffered from a lack of sun, but didn’t have to contend with sustained rain as well.
However, it wasn’t a huge crop. Most strawberries go to the fresh market.
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Publication:BC Fruit Grower
Issue: Spring 2011 Size:1/2 p 7.5 x 5
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