The start of Florida’s blueberry season is fast approaching. Around March 20th, North Bay Produce and its member grower H&A Farms will begin harvesting pallet volumes. “This start date is a little late compared to the past five years, but on time when looking at the 20-year average,” says Ryan Lockman with North Bay Produce. It was a very good blueberry winter for Florida, but the cold weather slowed down growth and slightly delayed the start of harvest. “I do anticipate a very good, high quality crop as long as nothing major happens between now and harvest,” he added. Volumes will gradually ramp up and the season is expected to peak between April 8 and April 22 before it winds down mid-May.
H&A Farms is a 4th generation grower that covers all blueberry growing areas in Florida with the largest concentration of production around the I-4 corridor. Acreage can be found as far south as Avon Park, FL and as far north as Gainesville with the grower’s packing house centrally located in the middle, in Mt. Dora, FL. Together, North Bay and H&A represent approximately 24 percent of Florida blueberry production.
Development of new varieties
As little as five years ago, Florida’s blueberry industry was dying as varieties didn’t yield competitively, nor did they meet the quality and flavor profile consumers were looking for. However, H&A Farms has brought new life into the blueberry industry through intense, proprietary farming methods that have resulted in high-yielding early varieties, as well as uniform and consistent high-quality fruit.
“In addition to improved yields, harvest of these new varieties starts early, enabling Florida to be the first state to bring domestically grown blueberries to market each year,” said Lockman.” All of North Bay’s blueberries grown and packed in Florida will have the Fresh From Florida logo on the packaging, underscoring the rejuvenation of the industry. Available packaging includes 6 oz., pint, and 18 oz. clamshells in both conventional and organic. In addition to clamshells, blueberries will be offered in the company’s new peel and resealable top seal packaging.
Label on the clamshell includes Fresh From Florida logo.
New peel and resealable top seal packaging for blueberries.
Domestic and overseas distribution
Florida blueberries will be distributed far beyond the southeastern part of the United States. “H&A Farms will be following the protocol for sending fruit west, so Florida blueberries will also be available in California. In fact, they can be delivered anywhere in the continental USA, commented Lockman.” H&A Farms’ Global GAP certification allows for sending fruit overseas. Outside the US, they will make their way over to Europe, including the UK. With the international airports of Orlando and Miami being nearby by as well as close proximity to the port of Miami, logistics for exports are convenient.
Demand for import blueberries has been very good over the past six to eight weeks. Lockman is hopeful strong demand will continue with the start of the domestic season. “Although there is competition from outside influences, we feel demand will keep the market strong. We are in an early window, being the first domestic state in production.”
For more information:
Ryan Lockman
North Bay Produce
Tel: +1 (231) 946-1941
rlockman@northbayproduce.com
www.northbayproduce.com