Latest News From Blueberries

North American Blueberry Council honors industry leaders
North American Blueberry Council honors industry leaders

A renowned blueberry researcher and an organization focused on preserving the history of the blueberry industry were recently honored with awards from the North American Blueberry Council.

Make way for imported berries
Make way for imported berries

Market conditions are making berry imports even more desirable for retailers.

The Packer's 2023 Organic Fresh Trends revealed
The Packer's 2023 Organic Fresh Trends revealed

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2023 survey polled more than 1,000 consumers in mid-October, discovering differences in how consumers report purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Chile flexes big supply of winter fruit
Chile flexes big supply of winter fruit

Chile is a powerhouse supplier of fruit to the U.S. market, and its success over the past 30 years has attracted more competition.

U.S. fruit exports dip 
U.S. fruit exports dip 

U.S. fresh fruit exports sagged 7% lower for the latest 12-month period, new USDA numbers reveal.

Imports are up big again, led by avocados and berries
Imports are up big again, led by avocados and berries

Led by grapes, berries, citrus and avocados, U.S. fresh fruit imports have surged in the last year, according to fresh USDA statistics.

Champion of Chilean blueberries, Victor Moller Schiavetti, dies at 79
Champion of Chilean blueberries, Victor Moller Schiavetti, dies at 79

The founder of Horifruit South America, who was known for his work expanding North American blueberry markets in winter to include Chilean blueberries, has died.

Chilean blueberry volume forecast down 8% from 2021 season
Chilean blueberry volume forecast down 8% from 2021 season

Global export volume for Chilean fresh blueberries estimated at just under 100,000 for the 2022/23 winter season.

Naturipe begins Chilean blueberry season with high expectations
Naturipe begins Chilean blueberry season with high expectations

Naturipe’s Chilean blueberry season will run from October to April, says Jim Roberts, president of sales, and the company will offer strong volume most of that time.

No let up in blueberry growth, Rabobank reports
No let up in blueberry growth, Rabobank reports

The blueberry boom is far from over. 

Chilean blueberry production predicted stable, but fresh exports may be down
Chilean blueberry production predicted stable, but fresh exports may be down

With fresh production expectations similar to a year ago, Chilean blueberry production has begun in the northern regions and will progress through the south as the season advances.

IBO releases the 2022 Global State of the Blueberry Industry report
IBO releases the 2022 Global State of the Blueberry Industry report

The International Blueberry Organization has released its 2022 Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report.

Fruit imports continue to surge
Fruit imports continue to surge

Led by explosive growth in berry and avocado imports, the value of U.S. imports of fruit soared 17% for the 12-month period ending June 30, USDA trade numbers show.

U.S. fresh fruit exports wobble
U.S. fresh fruit exports wobble

The value of U.S. fresh fruit exports declined 7% for the year from July 2021 through June 2022, USDA statistics show.

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council plans Blueberry Summit
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council plans Blueberry Summit

The Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is planning its Blueberry Summit for Oct. 5-7 in Nashville, Tenn.

Naturipe touts Mighty Blues program
Naturipe touts Mighty Blues program

Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms will have its 9.8-ounce Mighty Blues jumbo blueberry pack available from all of its production regions this season, said Kasey Kelley, director of business development.

Blueberry council releases 2021 impact report
Blueberry council releases 2021 impact report

The Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Blueberry Council has released its 2021 Impact Report that details last year’s efforts across all program areas, according to a news release.

Gem-Pack Berries progressing after merger
Gem-Pack Berries progressing after merger

The company has been “producing smoothly and efficiently” Since the company merged with Salinas, Calif.-based Red Blossom Sales Inc. last fall, said Craig Casca, chief marketing officer.

Santa Maria deal works for Beachside Produce
Santa Maria deal works for Beachside Produce

The Nipomo, Calif., company ships out of the Santa Maria, Calif., area year-round, and that business plan seems to be working out well for the company, said Will McCarthy, commodity manager.

Bobalu Berries awards scholarships
Bobalu Berries awards scholarships

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company, now in its 60th year of farming strawberries, has launched an annual scholarship program.

 Naturipe touts big blueberry supply
 Naturipe touts big blueberry supply

Naturipe Farms has celebrated National Blueberry Month 2022 with large volumes of fruit available from several North American growing regions and the company said promotable volumes will continue into August.

Naturipe sees foodservice rebound
Naturipe sees foodservice rebound

Naturipe is seeing foodservice demand rebound this year, says Jerry Moran, vice president of sales for Naturipe Farms.

Organic berry demand remains strong
Organic berry demand remains strong

Berry grower-shippers report continued robust demand for organic berries.

New charter service to move fresh blueberries from Chile to the U.S.
New charter service to move fresh blueberries from Chile to the U.S.

Chilean fresh blueberry exporters have reached an agreement to implement a charter service to the U.S. market called the "Blueberry Express.”

USHBC welcomes first Blueberry Industry Leadership Program participants
USHBC welcomes first Blueberry Industry Leadership Program participants

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has announced its first cohort of fellows accepted into the group's Blueberry Industry Leadership Program.

export ship
Fruit imports are sizzling, USDA trade data shows

The value of U.S. imports of fruit lurched ahead by 17% in the year ending April compared with the same period a year ago, according to new trade data. 

IBO picks Poland as host country for 2023 summit 
IBO picks Poland as host country for 2023 summit 

The International Blueberry Organization has announced that the 2023 IBO Summit will take place in Lublin, Poland from July 3-5, 2023.

Blueberry groups hire Joe Vargas as director of business intelligence
Blueberry groups hire Joe Vargas as director of business intelligence

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has appointed the marketing and business development professional to lead its data and insights program.

Blueberry consumption has cognitive benefits, study says
Blueberry consumption has cognitive benefits, study says

Just like you thought, blueberries are good for you.

It's berry time: Strawberry, blueberry, bushberry outlook strong
It's berry time: Strawberry, blueberry, bushberry outlook strong

Berries and summer are synonymous. And right on cue, the sweet, juicy little orbs are making their way across North America as temperatures warm and consumers head outdoors.

Blueberry grower-packer-shipper shares favorite recipe
Blueberry grower-packer-shipper shares favorite recipe

Move over, blueberry pie: Chelsea Consalo, executive vice president of Consalo Family Farms and Fresh Wave, Vineland, N.J., loves to bake this blueberry pie.

Organic fresh blueberries take a step back in March
Organic fresh blueberries take a step back in March

Organic fresh blueberry sales were off in March compared with a year ago, but increased volume and sales for conventional blueberries more than made up for the decline.

Deadline looms for applications to Blueberry Industry Leadership Program
Deadline looms for applications to Blueberry Industry Leadership Program

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is seeking applicants for its Blueberry Industry Leadership Program.

Florida blueberries hit prime market window
Florida blueberries hit prime market window

With Florida’s blueberry harvest in full swing, state officials estimate acreage at 5,200 acres and production near 20 million pounds.

Naturipe owner announces expansion in Southeast blueberry growing region
Naturipe owner announces expansion in Southeast blueberry growing region

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

Florida blueberry volume set for late March start
Florida blueberry volume set for late March start

Central Florida blueberry fields for Dundee-based Florida Classic Growers Inc. should start harvest the last week of March, said Al Finch, president.

U.S. Southeast blueberry shipments showed mixed trends in 2021
U.S. Southeast blueberry shipments showed mixed trends in 2021

Southeast U.S. blueberry shipments showed mixed trends in 2021, USDA data shows.

Per capita availability of blueberries, raspberries surging
Per capita availability of blueberries, raspberries surging

U.S. fresh blueberry and raspberry per-capita availability at the retail level has more than doubled in the past decade, according to USDA data. 

Fresh Trends data on Southeast berry production, consumption
Fresh Trends data on Southeast berry production, consumption

2022 Fresh Trends data on the state of berries in the Southeast region of the U.S., as well as a few interesting facts and tidbits about the berries themselves.

USDA appoints 7 members, 10 alternates to U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
USDA appoints 7 members, 10 alternates to U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

The USDA has announced the appointment of seven members and 10 alternates to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

Naturipe kicks off FeBLUEary
Naturipe kicks off FeBLUEary

Naturipe is excited to celebrate blueberries during the month of February. Their FeBLUEary campaign is now in its fifth consecutive year and highlights the first peak of imported blueberries for the 2022 season.

Continental Grain Co. invests in Agroberries 
Continental Grain Co. invests in Agroberries 

New York City-based Continental Grain Co. (Conti) has announced an investment in global berry marketer Agroberries, according to a news release.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council launches Alexa skill for consumers
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council launches Alexa skill for consumers

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council launched A Blueberry Boost, a new skill for Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) service.

Amanda Griffin hired as vice president of engagement and education for blueberry councils
Amanda Griffin hired as vice president of engagement and education for blueberry councils

The Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council have hired Amanda Griffin as vice president of engagement and education.

California Giant Berry Farms winter season blues
California Giant Berry Farms winter season blues

California Giant reports they have the winter blues – blueberries that is – with global grower partners reporting peak volumes of organic and conventional blueberry supply for the start of winter season and beyond.

Project seeks to evaluate food safety challenges of blueberry harvesting
Project seeks to evaluate food safety challenges of blueberry harvesting

Through an anonymous survey, researchers are seeking a better understanding of current cleaning and sanitation methods used on blueberry harvest containers and machine harvesters.  

Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch blueberries in peak availability for the holiday season
Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch blueberries in peak availability for the holiday season

Just in time for the holiday season, Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch blueberries are in peak availability to capture the hottest holiday trend of grazing boards.

Chilean blueberry exporters expect a similar crop to a year ago
Chilean blueberry exporters expect a similar crop to a year ago

The Chilean Blueberry Committee projects global export volumes of 117,000 metric tons in 2021-22,  similar to the total exported the previous season.

Blueberry industry votes to continue national research and promotion program
Blueberry industry votes to continue national research and promotion program

The blueberry industry’s national research and promotion program has been okayed for another five years.

Naturipe’s Berry Parfait a NACS show favorite
Naturipe’s Berry Parfait a NACS show favorite

During its debut at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show, Naturipe Snacks Berry Parfaits were ranked as the #2 Cool New Product (and the #1 ranked food item).