Blueberry Supply in the US Improving Compared to Last Year, According to North Bay Produce VP

Title: Blueberry Supplies in the US Show Improvement, Boosting Market Growth

Publication Date: June 19, 2023

In the US, the blueberry industry is experiencing a positive shift in supplies compared to the previous year. Ryan Lockman, the vice president of sales and purchasing for the Cooperative of North Bay Produce Producers, states that last year’s weather issues in Georgia and North Carolina had a significant impact on overall industry volumes. However, this season is looking more promising and balanced.

The US domestic crop is currently undergoing a transition between Highbush crops from the South and Highbush crops from the northern growing regions. Lockman mentions that production from the Southeast, except for Florida, has increased slightly this year in both Georgia and North Carolina. As the supply moves north from the East, the schedule is normalizing. The Pacific Northwest is currently experiencing a slight delay in production, but it is expected to catch up soon.

The blueberry supply in the US comes from various regions, including Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, California, Mexico, and Peru. The demand for blueberries has been strong, and Lockman expects it to continue at a good level. As long as the quality remains high and promotional activities continue, consumers are likely to keep purchasing blueberries and potentially return for more as production shifts to different regions.

To stimulate demand and interest from retailers, North Bay is now offering jumbo cranberries in jumbo packs year-round. This strategy has contributed to the strength of the blueberry market in the last six months. Lockman highlights that more fruit is being sold at higher prices per pound than ever before, especially during peak production periods. The consistent underlying demand and encouraging consumption growth have been driving factors in the market’s strength.

Looking ahead, as blueberry production moves to the northern regions such as New Jersey, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, the crops are expected to continue being good. Positive developments in pollination have been observed, and Lockman anticipates further opportunities to promote blueberries during the summer season. The industry’s hope is for rain in all the upcoming producing regions to enhance the sizes and quality of the blueberries.

For more information, please contact:
Sharon Robb
North Bay Produce, Inc.
Tel.: +1 (231) 946-1941
srobb@northbayproduce.com
Website: www.northbayproduce.com

Overall, the improved blueberry supplies in the US, along with strong demand and market growth, indicate a positive outlook for the industry.

What are the potential benefits for consumers and businesses in the blueberry industry as a result of the improved supply situation

A and North Carolina. This is a positive sign for the market as it means there will be a sufficient supply of blueberries for consumers.

Furthermore, Lockman highlights that the weather conditions in Florida have been favorable for blueberry production, resulting in an increase in supply from the state. This is particularly important as Florida is one of the largest blueberry producers in the US.

In addition to the increase in domestic supply, the US is also benefiting from increased imports of blueberries. Lockman explains that countries like Chile, Mexico, and Peru have been shipping larger quantities of blueberries to fill the demand gap created by the domestic crop shortage last year.

This improved supply situation is expected to boost market growth in the US. Consumers can look forward to a wider availability of blueberries and potentially lower prices due to the increased supply. Moreover, the improved supply will also benefit businesses in the blueberry industry, such as farmers, distributors, and retailers, as they will have more products to sell and greater opportunities for profit.

Overall, the blueberry industry in the US is experiencing a positive shift in supplies, with improvements in domestic production and increased imports. This is expected to have a significant impact on market growth and benefit both consumers and businesses in the industry.