Florida blueberries headed for eastern Canada
Florida blueberries headed for eastern Canada
"Florida blueberries" may have an unfamiliar ring for many. The popular fruit is commonly associated with Michigan, New Jersey and other northern states, with the bulk of off-season supplies coming from South American countries.
Given the production growth rate in the Sunshine State over the past several years, however, the term is likely to "roll off the tongue" with more familiarity in the future. And if the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services continues to broker deals like its current promotional program with Canadian retailer Sobeys, Florida growers may end up on the blueberry production map sooner than expected.
"The department has brokered a deal to market Florida blueberries to 83 of the 1,300 Sobeys' retail stores in Canada," said Liz Compton, spokesperson for the department. "The promotional program is targeting the company's Atlantic division stores, including those in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. It is part of the department's 'Fresh from Florida' campaign."
Ms. Compton said that blueberry production in the state is growing quickly. In 1997, 1,360 acres were dedicated to the product. In 2005, blueberries were being produced on approximately 2,500 acres.
"Production has not only nearly doubled, but the production areas are located as far south as Immokalee -- which gets very warm in the summer months," she added.
SunnyRidge Farm Inc. in Winter Haven, FL, grows blueberries, blackberries and raspberries in numerous locations including Georgia, Florida and South America. It markets its products under the same SunnyRidge name in Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia and throughout North America. Keith Mixon, president of the company, said that the University of Florida has done a great job of developing some new varieties of blueberries that are heat resistant, making it possible to grow them in climates such as Florida's.
"Florida will produce 6 million pounds of blueberries this year," said Mr. Mixon. "That figure is up from less than 5 million pounds only a year ago. A 20 percent increase is great no matter what the product. Florida growers are fortunate to have a good window. The season follows the Chilean movement and is before New Jersey begins marketing around June 20."
Putting the details in their proper perspective, however, Mr. Mixon pointed out that New Jersey will ship about 42 million pounds of the fruit this year. In comparison, that means that Florida is a mere single berry in the bucket in overall world production. Northern states have the largest production share. Michigan is the largest, followed by British Columbia, New Jersey and Oregon.
"These four areas combined produce about 69 percent of the total North American blueberry supplies," said Mr. Mixon. "They all harvest between June 20 and September 1. The Chilean movement runs from December through March, leaving Florida to fill the void from April 1 through May 8 to 15. Argentina fills in the fall lull, running from about October 5. But some supplies from both Michigan and Oregon also continue through October 1."
Mr. Mixon said that he is very much a proponent of marketing and promoting Florida blueberries, and he noted that the "Fresh from Florida" campaign has been a great asset.
"This is a good way to differentiate Florida-grown produce, and our company is a strong proponent of the programs," he said.
"The FDACS is providing Sobeys with point-of-sale materials, including posters and recipe brochures," said Ms. Compton. "Sobeys' store circulars will advertise fresh Florida blueberries and feature the 'Fresh from Florida' logo. In addition, shoppers will be treated to product samples and demonstrations. The department's marketing programs have increased sales of Florida-grown products by more than $1 billion during the past four years."
Given the production growth rate in the Sunshine State over the past several years, however, the term is likely to "roll off the tongue" with more familiarity in the future. And if the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services continues to broker deals like its current promotional program with Canadian retailer Sobeys, Florida growers may end up on the blueberry production map sooner than expected.
"The department has brokered a deal to market Florida blueberries to 83 of the 1,300 Sobeys' retail stores in Canada," said Liz Compton, spokesperson for the department. "The promotional program is targeting the company's Atlantic division stores, including those in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. It is part of the department's 'Fresh from Florida' campaign."
Ms. Compton said that blueberry production in the state is growing quickly. In 1997, 1,360 acres were dedicated to the product. In 2005, blueberries were being produced on approximately 2,500 acres.
"Production has not only nearly doubled, but the production areas are located as far south as Immokalee -- which gets very warm in the summer months," she added.
SunnyRidge Farm Inc. in Winter Haven, FL, grows blueberries, blackberries and raspberries in numerous locations including Georgia, Florida and South America. It markets its products under the same SunnyRidge name in Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia and throughout North America. Keith Mixon, president of the company, said that the University of Florida has done a great job of developing some new varieties of blueberries that are heat resistant, making it possible to grow them in climates such as Florida's.
"Florida will produce 6 million pounds of blueberries this year," said Mr. Mixon. "That figure is up from less than 5 million pounds only a year ago. A 20 percent increase is great no matter what the product. Florida growers are fortunate to have a good window. The season follows the Chilean movement and is before New Jersey begins marketing around June 20."
Putting the details in their proper perspective, however, Mr. Mixon pointed out that New Jersey will ship about 42 million pounds of the fruit this year. In comparison, that means that Florida is a mere single berry in the bucket in overall world production. Northern states have the largest production share. Michigan is the largest, followed by British Columbia, New Jersey and Oregon.
"These four areas combined produce about 69 percent of the total North American blueberry supplies," said Mr. Mixon. "They all harvest between June 20 and September 1. The Chilean movement runs from December through March, leaving Florida to fill the void from April 1 through May 8 to 15. Argentina fills in the fall lull, running from about October 5. But some supplies from both Michigan and Oregon also continue through October 1."
Mr. Mixon said that he is very much a proponent of marketing and promoting Florida blueberries, and he noted that the "Fresh from Florida" campaign has been a great asset.
"This is a good way to differentiate Florida-grown produce, and our company is a strong proponent of the programs," he said.
"The FDACS is providing Sobeys with point-of-sale materials, including posters and recipe brochures," said Ms. Compton. "Sobeys' store circulars will advertise fresh Florida blueberries and feature the 'Fresh from Florida' logo. In addition, shoppers will be treated to product samples and demonstrations. The department's marketing programs have increased sales of Florida-grown products by more than $1 billion during the past four years."
