Salinas, Calif.-based 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.
The marketer’s blueberry volumes in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia will be at their peak of the season starting mid-July and into August, according to a news release.
“National Blueberry Month comes at the perfect time as many of our North American growing regions are in the middle of peak blueberry season,” Brian Bocock, vice president of product management at Naturipe, said in the release. “These flavorful berries make the perfect, easy summer snack and are healthy to boot - boasting benefits like fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and antioxidants. Blueberries are also low in calories, but their high fiber content leaves you satisfied longer, making them the perfect fresh treat.”
Naturipe Farms will have promotable volumes of its blueberries throughout the remainder of July and August. Retailers can stock up their shelves with pint size options or with larger 18-ounce and 32-ounce clamshells, the release said.
While pint packages are popular with consumers for snacking, the release said 18-ounce clamshells fly off the shelf, as consumers increasingly prefer larger pack sizes for sharing with family and friends.
The release said blueberry pricing was higher in early July, reflecting lower-than-normal industry volume for the July Fourth holiday. However, volumes had picked up by mid-July and plenty of promotional opportunities will be available through the month of August, due to the later start of all the Northern growing regions, according to the release. During this same period Naturipe also expects strong supplies of Mighty Blues, their jumbo blueberry pack.
Blueberry prices remain elevated compared with a year ago, pricing data shows.
The USDA reported the average fob for U.S. blueberries for the week of July 23 was $29.35 per carton, up from $17.17 per carton the same time a year ago.
