Despite a spring marked by unpredictable weather and freezing temperatures across parts of New Jersey, D’Ottavio Farms is entering the 2026 blueberry season optimistic about crop quality, sizing and long-term growth opportunities.

“This season started with some unusually cold weather for New Jersey,” said Mike D’Ottavio, president of D’Ottavio Farms. “A lot of growers experienced damage to peaches and blueberries after a couple cold mornings earlier in the spring.”

Fortunately, the company’s blueberry operation in Vineland, NJ, escaped the worst of the weather because of its location farther south than many other growing regions in the state.

“We were lucky to stay a few degrees warmer than growers farther north,” D’Ottavio said. “At this point, we expect our yield to be very close to last season.”

Any slight reduction in crop load could actually create an advantage when it comes to berry sizing.

“If we do end up with a small percentage of crop loss, it should help size up the blueberries that remain on the bushes,” D’Ottavio said.

The company continues expanding both conventional and organic blueberry acreage as consumer demand for locally grown fruit continues to increase.

“What’s driving the expansion is strong demand for local product,” D’Ottavio said. “Consumers want fresh blueberries that are grown closer to home, and retailers continue looking for strong local programs.”

As the farm grows, D’Ottavio Farms has also placed a major focus on sustainability and efficiency through the use of newer technologies, particularly drones and advanced irrigation systems.

“One of the biggest changes for us has been implementing drones into our farming operations,” D’Ottavio said. “The drones help lower operational costs because they require less manpower, use less fuel and apply products more efficiently than traditional sprayers.”

The technology has also helped improve soil conditions throughout the farm.

“By eliminating heavy tractors in certain applications, we reduce soil compaction and create healthier soil structure for the plants,” D’Ottavio said. “That leads to better water absorption and healthier crops overall.”

D’Ottavio Farms has also adopted satellite-guided irrigation systems to improve water management and reduce fuel usage.

“We’re using satellite irrigation to save fuel and improve efficiency,” D’Ottavio said. “Combined with drones and other technology, it allows us to stay competitive while continuing to operate as a vertically integrated farm.”

Those efficiencies have become increasingly important as growers throughout the industry face higher labor, fuel and production costs.

“Everything continues to get more expensive,” D’Ottavio said. “Fuel, labor and transportation all keep increasing, so we’re constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality.”

The company also utilizes H-2A labor to help maintain consistent production throughout the season.

“Our labor costs continue to rise, but having reliable workers is critical to maintaining quality and service,” D’Ottavio said.

On the retail side, D’Ottavio Farms continues seeing strong demand for premium blueberry packs, particularly in larger and organic formats.

“The demand for 18-ounce packs continues to grow every year, both conventional and organic,” D’Ottavio said. “Retailers are looking for premium fruit and consumers are responding well to those larger pack sizes.”

The company believes New Jersey’s location remains one of its biggest competitive advantages, particularly when it comes to freshness and delivery speed.