California is poised to achieve a record blueberry harvest, with an estimated production of 74.5 million pounds. The state's favorable growing conditions have been a significant factor, although the initial forecast was adjusted from 80 million pounds to account for rain damage.
This year's yield is divided between 53 million pounds for the fresh market and 21 million pounds for processing. The increase in acreage to 8,900 reflects the sector's expansion. Despite the anticipated record output, the market faces challenges from international competition, notably from Mexico, Peru, and Chile, which dominate the U.S. import market.
Mexico, in particular, has expanded its production significantly, overlapping with California's harvest period and offering lower prices. The saturation of the market by both domestic and international producers has led to price pressures for growers. Mechanical harvesting may become more prevalent due to labor costs, potentially reducing pack-out by 10% to 20%. The large crop size and market conditions are causing concern among growers, with an emphasis on strategic marketing to manage the surplus. Additionally, potential heat waves pose a risk to the quality of the berries destined for the fresh market.
Source: goldrushcam.com