Blueberry growers and importers deliver a crop that contributes nearly $9.1 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy, or nearly $25 million every day, according to reports issued by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC).
"The new reports reaffirm what our industry has long recognized—blueberry growers have a powerful and positive impact on the U.S. economy," said Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC.
In addition to the $9.1 billion in total economic impact, which reflects increased business activity from both U.S.-grown and imported blueberries, the new economic impact study also shows:
© USHBC
- Jobs: The U.S. highbush blueberry industry, supported by both domestic growers and international import partners, creates and sustains 61,676 full-time equivalent jobs each year.
- Labor Income: $3.3 billion in labor income is generated annually by the business activities of growers, equating to $9.1 million each day. These are dollars that go to wages and salaries for new employment, as well as expanded incomes to those already in the labor force for activities such as overtime pay.
- Indirect Business Taxes: Each year, about $277.9 million in indirect business taxes, not including income taxes, are generated by the U.S. highbush blueberry industry, from both domestic growers and import partners.
In the United States specifically, the U.S. highbush blueberry industry accounts for $6.7 billion in annual economic impact, or about $18.3 million per day, while creating and sustaining 49,260 full-time equivalent jobs supported by the business activities of U.S. growers. Additionally, U.S. highbush blueberry growers generate nearly $2.4 billion in labor income each year, equating to about $6.7 million per day, and indirect business taxes generated by grower spending totals nearly $193.1 million annually, or $529,000 per day, not including income taxes.
Eight states lead the way in U.S. highbush blueberry production. According to the 2025 study, Georgia, Washington, California, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, New Jersey, and North Carolina account for a substantial share of economic impact and jobs created.
To meet strong, year-round consumer demand, the U.S. relies on imported blueberries from trusted trade partners in Canada, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. These imports complement domestic production during seasonal gaps, keeping blueberries in front of consumers in the produce section, and contributing significantly to the U.S. economy.
According to the study, imported blueberries account for nearly $2.4 billion in annual U.S. economic impact, the creation of 12,415 full-time equivalent U.S. jobs, $876.2 million in U.S. labor income, and $84.8 million in indirect business taxes generated by importer spending.
The study was commissioned by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and conducted in February 2025 by Dennis Tootelian, Ph.D., emeritus professor at California State University, Sacramento.
For more information:
Gabriella Gebhardt
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
[email protected]
https://ushbc.blueberry.org/
