The Florida blueberry season is set to finish this month with volumes that are lower than growers initially expected. Weather and pest issues have contributed to low production which, in turn, has led to strong prices.
Volume has been down this year, according to Teddy Koukoulis, director of blueberry operations at Wish Farms.
"I think volume is down a bit," he said. "Florida was hoping to do about 22 million pounds this season, but it looks like we might do around 15 million pounds." He believes a freeze in February had a big impact on this year's production, something which was exacerbated by a bird problem that has been bigger than in previous years.
"Birds have been the worst this season," he said, "more so than growers can remember in a very long time."
The season is expected to stretch to the middle of this month and it's not expected production will pick up before that time, though quality and prices have been good.
"Quality has been very good," said Koukoulis, "and prices have been higher due to a lack of volume."