Naturipe owner announces expansion in Southeast blueberry growing region

Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe has increased organic and conventional blueberry production in the Southeast U.S.

Over the last year, Michigan Blueberry Growers, an owner of Naturipe Farms, has made significant additions to its Southeast blueberry program, according to a news release.

The moves have resulted in remarkable increases of organic and conventional blueberry volumes from Florida and have successfully supported MBG’s efforts to increase output in the Southeast U.S., the release said.

“We are thankful to our growers for their constant diligence in their exceptional growing practices and for producing such high volumes as a result,” Larry Ensfield, president of MBG, said in the release.

“The Southeast blueberries are the same quality our customers have come to expect from Naturipe — fresh, firm and flavorful," he said. "With the strong numbers we are seeing, we are more than able to fulfill the high demand we expect on the east coast."

Production starts the fourth week of March and peaks the first two weeks of April, according to the release. The new program will allow Naturipe to be among the first to market with Florida blueberries, fulfilling East Coast needs and allowing for a smooth transition from Chile to Florida to Georgia. 

“We at Island Grove LLC have been proudly growing fresh conventional and organic blueberries in North Central and Southwest Florida for over 20 years," Jerod Gross, general manager of Island Grove LLC, said in the release. "Our team is excited about joining [Michigan Blueberry Growers] and growing under the Naturipe Label."

Growers have been able to pick up additional pounds in Georgia that help to support weeks 15-20 of southern highbush and assist with early production of blueberries.