While weather conditions contributed to a late start to this year's blueberry harvest in North Carolina, volumes are anticipated to be larger than those from last season.
“We started harvesting a little later than usual this year,” noted Julie Woodcock, executive coordinator for the North Carolina Blueberry Council. “Harvesting started around May 19, and it was held back because of cool nights that slowed things down a bit.” Supplies of berries for the fresh market are expected to last through the end of this month, and availability of rabbiteye blueberries, which are used for processing, is expected to last into July. It's expected that this year's harvest will bear more fruit than last year's harvest.
“I don't think it would be incorrect to anticipate an increase in volume of about five percent,” said Woodcock. “This is one of the more robust seasons. There's so much fruit, it's just amazing.”
For more information:
Julie Woodcock
North Carolina Blueberry Council
+1 910 471 3193