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Blueberry Production and Consumption Continue to Increase

By Karen Gentry Associate Editor

Consumption trends of many commodities show a static line as promoters look for ways to increase usage. Not so with blueberries. “With blueberries you see continued upward movement,” said Earl Peterson, president of Peterson Farms in Shelby, Mich., who has been processing blueberries since 1995. He said in the last 20 years there has been a continued increase in the production of blueberries that has been matched by increased consumption. In 1999 there was a record 366 million pounds of high and low bush blueberries produced in the U.S. and Canada and 415 million pounds last year, the largest crop ever. “I believe we can continue to expand for the product,” said Peterson. He said he is optimistic about the 2001 crop due to favorable weather conditions including lack of frost damage creating healthy bushes with adequate moisture. Increased volumes of blueberries out of Florida are an early indicator of a very strong crop this year. A blueberry season that starts out strong usually ends strong, according to Kirk McCreary, general manager of MBG Marketing. “It’s looking like the cultivated crop is potentially a very strong crop this year,” said McCreary, whose organization includes 350 members and represents 25 marketing agreements in the U.S. He said the fresh market blueberries out of Florida are garnering very high prices with normal supply and demand and blueberries from Chile, expected to end by late March or early April, sold well. He said Michigan has enjoyed a very favorable weather in winter and early spring. McCreary reported 54% greater carryover of frozen blueberries this year compared to last year. Peterson said this carryover is not “particularly burdensome.” “So far prices have been a little softer this spring,” McCreary said. Blueberries have shined as a bright spot in the last few years during troubled times for many fruits and vegetables. “It’s been one of just a small group of fruit and vegetables that have had two - three good years,” said McCreary about blueberries. Blueberries have benefited from loads of favorable publicity about the healthful aspects of blueberries. Thus far these promotional efforts have enabled shippers to match the production and supply, according to McCreary. With per capita consumption of blueberries at a modest 16 ounces per person, many in the industry there’s ample room for even more demand. With blueberry production expected to increase, the industry needs more aggressive promotions, according to Mark Villata, executive director of the North American Blueberry Council. “So far the 2000’s have been extremely good,” said Donnie Morris about blueberry prices. Morris, operator of the Baxley Sunbelt Blueberry Corporation in Southeast Georgia, grows 220 acres of blueberries. He said prices in six out of 10 years in the 1990s were considered to be good. Morris cited all the health benefits of blueberries from preventing urinary tract infections, improving memory, combating aging as extremely positive news that benefit blueberry growers. “If we could prove beyond a doubt that blueberries can eliminate Alzheimer’s disease there wouldn’t be a blueberry left in the freezer in the world,” said Morris. Morris is an enthusiastic supporter of the new U.S.A. Blueberry Council (USABC). “I think it’s one of the best things ever to come our way. It will put us all on an equal playing field,” he said. Morris said previously 40% of the producers, through their contributions to the North American Blueberry Council, funded all the research. He said this particular marketing order has been in the works for three years although there’s been talk of a marketing order for approximately 15 years. “We’ll finally have money to be able to do research work,” said Morris. Morris said many countries lack the three basic components for growing blueberries - type of soil, pH of soil and availability of water.