US(GA): Blueberries supply low but expected to improve
Warmer weather, poor pollinating conditions and labor issues are all contributing to a smaller bat…Warmer weather, poor pollinating conditions and labor issues are all contributing to a smaller batch of blueberries currently coming out of parts of the Southeast.
“Supply will be low for the next few weeks in Georgia, but will pick up mid June,” said Samantha Kilgore of the Georgia Blueberry Commission, elaborating on how temperatures impacted crops this year.
“It’s vital that blueberries, and any small fruits, get enough chill hours to mature correctly. This year, Georgia’s chill hours were late, and then sporadic.”
The Georgia Blueberry Commission reports that while their state has produced nearly 90 million pounds of blueberries per year in the past, this year will be well short of that number. The length of the growing season in this region may help offset an even greater decline in supply.
“Georgia is proud to have one of the longest seasons in the US, from mid-April to
mid-July,” added Kilgore.
Demand for the tiny, nutrient packed fruit, is high.
“Blueberries continue to rise in popularity across the US, so that is positive. However, there are many other states that produce a substantial blueberry crop than there were ten years ago. Georgia’s season now falls very closely with the seasons in several surrounding states, like North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas,” explained Kilgore.
The fruit, more than a simple snack, is often incorporated into different foods and recipes.
“Blueberries are extremely versatile, so there is little waste from product that doesn’t get sold fresh to stores. Georgia blueberries can be found in blueberry juice, blueberry jams and jellies, in frozen bags in stores, and sold for food service like the blueberries for a muffin you might buy at Starbucks.”