An Overview of US Blueberry Production, Trade, and Consumption, with Special Reference to Florida1 Edward A
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FE952 An Overview of US Blueberry Production, Trade, and Consumption, with Special Reference to Florida1 Edward A. Evans and Fredy H. Ballen2 Introduction the total production of blueberries was traded in the world market. Blueberry is cultivated commercially in about 27 countries worldwide, most of which are located in temperate zones. Between 2002 and 2011, world blueberry production grew at an annual rate of 5.45 percent, from 230,769 tonnes in 2002 to 356,533 tonnes in 2011. Blueberry production in 2011 was 13.66 percent higher than in the previous year, and 54.50 percent above the 2002 calendar year. The top five blueberry producers are the United States, Canada, Poland, Mexico, and Germany, respectively (FAOSTAT 2013a). The United States is by far the largest blueberry producer, with a production share of 56.07 percent between 2009 and 2011, followed by Canada (30.29%), Poland (2.92%), Germany (2.5%), and Mexico (0.94%). Between 2001 and 2010, global exports of blueberry more than doubled, from 53,232 tonnes in 2001 to over 113,000 tonnes in 2010 (FAOSTAT 2013b). During this same period, export value grew from $119.29 million in 2001 to $370.97 million in 2010. The top five exporters are the United States, Canada, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain, respectively. The United States accounted for 50.94 Global blueberry imports grew from 49,224 tonnes in percent of the world exports from 2008 to 2010, followed by 2002 to over 113,000 tonnes in 2010. The United States is Canada (25.89%), Poland (6.78%), the Netherlands (5.44%), the largest importer, absorbing 63.30 percent of the global and Spain (1.74%). Blueberry has a high export ratio, as a imports between 2008 and 2010, followed by Canada significant percentage of its production goes to the interna- (19.08%), Germany (3.69%), Austria (2.33%), and the tional markets. For example, in 2010, about 26.62 percent of Netherlands (1.17%). These top five importer countries 1. This document is FE952, one of a series of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2014. Reviewed October 2017. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Edward A. Evans, assistant professor, Food and Resource Economics Department; and Fredy H. Ballen, economic analysis coordinator II; UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL 33031. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. accounted for over 89 percent of the global blueberry trade to low temperatures) requirement (more than 800 hours) between 2008 and 2010 (FAOSTAT 2013b). compared to southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries. Plants grow five to nine feet tall. In terms of consumption, the United States and Canada, respectively, are the main consumers of blueberries. Southern highbush blueberries were developed to allow Together, these two countries consume 76.82 percent of the blueberry production in “low-chill” areas. A dormant plant global blueberry exports. This is noteworthy considering requires a certain amount of chilling (exposure to tem- that the combined population of these two countries is less peratures between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy) than 350 million people, or about 5 percent of the estimated to break bud and flower normally. Southern highbush 7 billion people comprising the global population. blueberries have a low chilling requirement (200 to 300 hours) compared to other types of blueberries. Plants can While the United States plays an important role on the grow as high as ten feet tall. international blueberry market as both exporter and importer, it is mainly a net blueberry importer. Domestic Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the southeastern production and per-capita consumption of the fruit have United States. These blueberries require long, hot summers. followed an upward trend since 2000. Florida blueberry Plants grow from six to ten feet tall. cultivation has expanded due to early-ripening cultivars that bring higher prices during the early part of the domes- Lowbush blueberries are native from Minnesota to tic crop season. Therefore, Florida growers might explore Virginia and from the northeastern United States to the blueberries as a profitable alternative crop. maritime provinces of Canada. They seldom grow higher than 1.5 feet tall, and are protected from extreme winter The objective of this document is to provide updated weather by snow. In the marketing data, they often are information about the recent trends in blueberry produc- listed as wild blueberries. tion, consumption, and trade for the US market. Current and future short-term trends are discussed. Price analysis Half-high blueberries are the result of crosses between at the wholesale level for selected markets on the US East the northern highbush and lowbush blueberry varieties. Coast (New York City) and US West Coast (Los Angeles) They were developed for cold climates; these cultivars will are presented. Also, the national average retail prices for tolerate –35°F to –45°F temperatures. Plants grow from 3 conventional and organic blueberries are presented. to 4 feet tall, with most of the fruiting area below the snow line. US Blueberry Market Production Between 2002 and 2011, total US blueberry production The United States is the largest blueberry-producing more than doubled, from 113,976 tonnes in 2002 to 231,994 country, accounting for over half of the global production. tonnes in 2011 (USDA/ERS 2012a). The rise in production Because of the availability of cultivars suitable for very can be attributed to several factors, including new produc- different climatic conditions, blueberry production is tion regions, higher yields, and significant increases in widely spread throughout the continental United States. planted areas in some of the established production states. For example, in 2011, the top five state producers and their The top three US blueberry-producing states are Michigan, share of total production were Michigan (19.21%), Maine Maine, and Oregon. Michigan is the largest producer, with (17.44%), Oregon (11.53%), New Jersey (11.25%), and a production share of 19.21 percent for 2009 to 2011, fol- Georgia (11.18%) (USDA/ERS 2013). North American lowed by Maine (17.44%) and Oregon (11.53%). Together, blueberries are available from April through October, with these three states supply almost half of the total domestic the peak season running from June to August (Blueberry- blueberry production. California and Mississippi are the council.org 2013). There are five main types of blueberries latest entrants into the domestic blueberry market. Between grown in the United States: northern highbush, southern 2009 and 2011, California contributed 5.84 percent and highbush, rabbiteye, lowbush, and half-high (Strik and Finn Mississippi 1.67 percent of the total blueberries sold on the 2008). market. Production in most of the blueberry-producing states continues on its upward trend, with the following Northern highbush blueberries are native to much of states experiencing sharp significant increases in output the eastern and northeastern United States, from the over the 2002–2011 period: Florida (637.93%), Washington Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Northern (346.88%), Georgia (264.70%), and Oregon (174.16%). highbush blueberries have a long chilling time (exposure An Overview of US Blueberry Production, Trade, and Consumption, with Special Reference to Florida 2 Between 2009 and 2011, about 51 percent of the total US represented 60.12 percent of all blueberry imports in 2003, blueberry production was sold as fresh fruit, while 48 and 17.34 percent in 2012. Data collection of US imports percent of production was sold as processed fruit (USDA/ of organic blueberries began in 2011; organic blueberries ERS 2012a). As mentioned earlier, production in Florida accounted for 0.45 percent of the total US blueberry has been on the upswing, and it is sold mainly in the fresh imports in 2012. market. The state is currently ranked ninth according to the 2009–2011 data, but is expected to improve in ranking in the future. Florida commercial blueberry production takes place in three regions of the state: north-central, central, and south-central. Most of the Florida blueberry crop is grown in the north-central region (Alachua, Lake, Marion, Putnam, and Sumter Counties), which accounts for about 40 percent of the state blueberry acreage. Next in importance is the central region (Hernando, Hillsborough, Orange, Pasco, and Polk Counties), which accounts for 35 percent of the state blueberry acreage. Last in importance is the south-central region (Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties), which accounts for about 20 percent of the state blueberry acreage. Because Florida blueberry production comes from early- Figure 1. US fresh and frozen blueberry