As millions of people along the East Coast shivered their way through a cold and brutal winter, blueberry bushes throughout Southern New Jersey enjoyed a long and deep slumber.

The winter of 2015 was devoid of any temperature spikes that would have interrupted the blueberry plant’s dormant stage, and consequently, the region received the perfect amount of chill days to ensure the emergence of healthy and vibrant plants when spring finally arrived.

Lots of snow, coupled with early spring rains will result in nicely sized berries. The latter part of spring remained dry, which let the bees do their part in guaranteeing nice volumes. Recent high temperatures have brought the crop back on track, and the first New Jersey blueberries are expected to reach consumers the week of June 15 with volumes increasing a few days later.

In 2014, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics service showed New Jersey growers produced more than 57.8 million pounds of blueberries on approximately 8,800 acres. New Jersey currently ranks fifth in national production. Early indications show that New Jersey is on track to match, if not exceed, 2014 totals.

David Arena, president of Donio, Inc. and Pleasantdale Farms remains very optimistic about this year’s crop. 

“It appears all environmental conditions have been met to produce quality Jersey Fresh blueberries, and from my visits into our fields, the berries are sizing up nicely, and volumes look good. Consumers all up and down the Eastern Seaboard look forward to New Jersey blueberries, and I know they won’t be disappointed,” Arena said. Donio, Inc. markets their blueberries under the “Top Crop” label.

Francisco Allende, sales manager at Sunny Valley International, selling under the “Jersey Fruit” brand, concurs with Arena’s assessment.

“All our growers are reporting excellent growing conditions, and from what they have seen in the fields, the 2015 season is going to be a good one. The retail industry always shows great interest in the crop, and our sales team has been quite busy setting up pre-bookings,” Allende said.

Art Galletta, co-owner and sales manager of Atlantic Blueberry Co., one of New Jersey’s larger family-owned blueberry farms, agreed and advised all buyers to keep in contact with suppliers for up-to-date information.

“Buyers can expect good volumes and superior quality,” Galletta said. “It is important that buyers remain in constant contact with their suppliers as we expect demand to be huge this year.”

In order to maintain consumer excitement for Jersey Fresh blueberries, the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council will be promoting the state’s blueberries via an aggressive marketing campaign.

Tim Wetherbee, sales manager for Diamond Blueberries who serves as council chairman, announced that the group has organized an aggressive marketing campaign intended to create trade and consumer awareness and demand for New Jersey blueberries. Designed to complement the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Jersey Fresh advertising and promotional program, the council will use this highly successful brand image to benefit the promotion of blueberries to consumers long aware of Jersey Fresh.

“The Jersey Fresh blueberry promotional plan will be a multi-media advertising effort that will include trade print ads, retail point-of-purchase materials, radio advertising, and consumer promotions,” Wetherbee said.

Wetherbee reported that the council has purchased space for blueberry ads, and the ads will appear in major trade publications throughout June and into July.

The council has worked with a media company to develop a 30-second radio commercial, which will alert listeners about the availability of Jersey Fresh blueberries. These ads will air in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and into New England. The ads are expected to begin the week of June 16 and will run throughout the entire month of July.

To help consumers identify New Jersey-grown blueberries, Jersey Fresh price cards have been developed and will be distributed through retail markets.

Jersey Fresh blueberries have a longstanding reputation for their high quality and taste and all indications point to another great season.

Al Murray is the New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.