Hot, dry weather in New York has posed problems for the state's growers, but as temperatures have climbed, blackberry growers anticipate high sugar levels for their crop.“It's been an unusual year,” said Paul Baker, executive director of the New York State Berry Growers Association. “We're in the midst of a drought, and we are experiencing record high temperatures.” The warm weather has made it harder for growers to keep their crops irrigated, but it's also benefited this year's crop in terms of quality.
“The berries have gotten a lot of sun,” said Baker. “The warm weather translates into more sugar, and that means berries with flavors that appeal to consumers.” But warm conditions, along with frost protection measures growers employed earlier in the year, have raised production costs. Those higher costs, in turn, will be reflected in higher prices for blackberries this year.
Harvesting of blackberries in New York began this week and should continue through Labor Day.