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

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

The early season volume out of the Northwest should help cherry-focused retailers transition from this year’s California crop.

Grower-shippers who market organic cherries agree that the category plays an important role in their cherry programs.

Pears are skewing toward younger consumers and the Pear Bureau Northwest is designing media campaigns to speak to them, says Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest.

The initial industry projection for the 2022 Northwest pear crop is close to last year’s in volume, according to Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest.

The 2022 pear crop supply should line up well with demand for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, says Dan Davis, director of business development.

U.S. exports of fresh pears for the 12-month period from July 2021 to June 2022 totaled $148.1 million, down 1% from the previous year.

Northwest pear volume could be up slightly for CMI Orchards, says Sarah Barkley, sales manager and pear lead for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

Cold spring weather has hurt crop volume for Hood River, Ore.-based Duckwall Fruit, says Ed Weathers, sales manager.