“We are just coming out of the shortest supply window of the year,” says an industry representative. He refers to the in-between period where blueberry production in Chile has ended and domestic production is starting up. Florida’s harvest started last month and is peaking right now. The sunshine state had a mild winter that resulted in good growing conditions for the crop. “Overall, this year the domestic market will not nearly have the volumes it normally has,” he shared. “Georgia and North Carolina, two important blueberry states, have had devastating crop losses due to frost.” Retail prices will be less aggressive
Production in Georgia, one of the largest blueberry states, is expected to be down about 60-70 percent due to the frost that hit in March. Georgia’s season typically starts April 15 and runs through July 1st. North Carolina is estimated to have a 50-70 percent loss from the frost. The state’s blueberry harvest starts mid-May and also runs through July 1st. According to the industry source, the frost will cause a gap in production between May 15 and June 10. “During that time-frame, we won’t have the anticipated volume. As a result, we won’t see the aggressive retail prices we normally see around that time of the year. I still look forward to a great summer, but we have to get through the next couple of months,” he said.