Canada: BC Blueberry growers are seeing blue
Picked from the fields at CanWest Farms, blueberries are piled high in crusts for White Spot diners, with no shortage of the fruit in sight.
“It’s a good year overall for blueberries,” said Humraj Kallu operations manager of CanWest Farms. “There’s quite a bit of volume coming out of the bushes.”
A cool, wet spring and early summer that delayed the harvest had farmers worried, but they’re now anticipating the 2012 harvest to top last year’s record haul.
“It started out slow because of all the rain in the off-season,” said Kallu. “It picked up later on because of all the heat we got. So it actually turned into a pretty good crop this year.”
Blueberries are the third largest crop in Richmond, behind cranberries and hay, and consumers should be able to buy fresh berries for another three weeks, said Kallu. CanWest Farms operates the Farmers Market at Sidaway and Blundell roads, selling fresh and frozen berries, along with homemade frozen blueberry pies.
The B.C. Blueberry Council, which represents the entire industry of 800 growers, estimates the province-wide harvest to be as high as 47.6 million kilograms thanks to hot weather that has persisted since mid-July.
Debbie Etsell, executive director of the council, said growers throughout southwest B.C. are expecting record volumes this year.
“Some of them are dealing with heat issues, which can cause berries to soften, but most of them are using crop management practices...to ensure that the quality of berries harvested stays high,” said Etsell.
Like farmers of other produce in B.C., blueberry growers face rising competition from U.S. growers boasting lower prices. While CanWest has found markets for its product out east and in Japan and Hong Kong, smaller growers in Richmond who rely on fresh sales are facing increasing competition within their backyard.
George Sidhu of G.S. Farms at 11400 No. 4 Rd. said despite this year’s good crop, he’s noticed fewer customers flocking to his produce stand and U-pick field.
“Last year we had lots and lots of people, especially during the weekend... But I noticed there are so many new blueberry farms in the Ladner, Delta area that used to be (growing) potatoes and corn,” he said. “Eventually it’s going to effect everybody I guess.”
Sidhu estimated he’ll be selling blueberries at his farm for another two weeks.
Approximately half of the B.C. blueberry crop is sold fresh—both domestically and in foreign markets—while the other half is processed, according to the B.C. Blueberry Council.
Source: www.richmondreview.com