Florida blueberries growing rapidly in production and demand
Florida blueberries growing rapidly in production and demand
Increases in Florida blueberry production have been nearly phenomenal, more than doubling in the past three to four years alone. Even more impressive is that much of the growth has been south of the Tampa-Orlando regions, or what is typically referred to by Floridians as south of the Interstate 4 line, where temperatures during the eight-week (in a good year) blueberry season from mid- to late March through early May, average in the mid- to high 70- degree range.
"Last year, growers in the state produced about 6 million pounds of blueberries, and the year before we were at 4.5 million," said Tom Cobb, vice president of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association and owner of Bee Branch Farms Inc. in La Belle, FL, a blueberry producer. "About four years ago, growers were producing no more than about 2.5 million pounds. Although we will be down a little this season from last year's volume because of weather- related issues, overall state volumes have more than doubled in the past few years. That's a little faster than what most people consider gradual growth, and the future looks bright for continued increases."
About four growers represent the largest percentage of the harvested crop, all of which goes to the fresh market, Mr. Cobb said of the numerous Florida growers now producing blueberries.
Historically, Florida blueberry production was limited to the panhandle regions of Florida near Gainesville, where more defined seasonal temperatures prevail. But new varieties that are amenable to lower temperatures have resulted in increased production.
Mr. Cobb said that the short six-week window fits perfectly into the blueberry market and helps to fill the growing consumer demand for blueberries.
"Economics is the number one reason this is an important window," Mr. Cobb said. "When we start producing in early April, fresh blueberries are not available from anywhere else in the world. As the season progresses, our primary competition comes from Chile. But Chilean berries are put into controlled-temperature storage and can be as much as six weeks old when they reach retailers. Florida blueberries are on grocers' shelves within three to four days of harvest. This makes a difference in quality, shelf life and even in the nutritional attributes of the berries."
The market window for Florida is distinct in not only its timing but also in its pricing. Growers there know they cannot compete with northern states like Michigan and New Jersey when crops in those regions come on, so they do not attempt to grow late-summer or fall blueberry crops.
"Commercial growers in those regions harvest by machine, which keeps prices low," explained Mr. Cobb. "Florida blueberries are all hand-harvested. In some cases, total production costs for growers in the north are equivalent to our picking costs."
Florida blueberries are distributed throughout eastern and midwestern states, and into Canada. A significant portion is also shipped to Europe and Japan, and other Asian countries are showing increased interest in the product. Mr. Cobb said that the berries are air-freighted to destinations.
Although Florida's strong blueberry growth has spiked in just the past few years, efforts to develop the industry have been ongoing since 1948, when the University of Florida began a blueberry breeding program to develop early-ripening cultivars with low chilling requirements that would adapt to Florida's subtropical climates.
Many developments were made through the collaboration of research and grower professionals over the years, but the biggest breakthrough came in 1982, when Herold Krupka, a farmer in Boswick, FL, became the first to export blueberries commercially for $5 a pound.
This activity increased growers' interest in producing berries for the April- May market window.
Despite the inspiration, a blueberry variety perfectly suited to the warm Florida weather had not been introduced at that time. The credit for the ultimate accomplishment goes to Paul Lyrene, a blueberry breeder for the University of Florida and a director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. Mr. Cobb said that Mr. Lyrene is also encyclopedic in terms of blueberry knowledge.
"At least two varieties must be planted at one time because they cross- pollinate," explained Mr. Cobb. "Previous researchers developed a couple of warm-weather varieties, but Paul expanded the number of choices available. This has made it possible for south Florida growers to increase their crop quality and volumes."
Jerry Mixon, owner of Sunny Ridge Farms in Haines City, FL, and a FBGA director, said that his family-owned firm markets and ships blueberries, blackberries and raspberries from its partner-growers in numerous states, including Florida, and in Canada, Chile, Mexico and Argentina. It also imports from other areas of the world as demand dictates.
"The Florida window has changed a lot in the last several years," said Mr. Mixon. "Just over a decade ago, no other area of the world was producing blueberries during this period. Today, Chile produces in April and Georgia has some April movement. But despite the opportunities, we face the same challenges as others, including labor problems, water issues, high upstart and upkeep costs and more.
"Producing blueberries is not a cheap endeavor, and we have to be shrewd business people, grow good crops and offer the highest possible level of customer satisfaction to survive," he continued. "It is true that Florida blueberries are outstanding in their quality because they are shipped fresh without going into controlled atmosphere."
Despite the challenges, Mr. Mixon said that the Florida blueberry industry is expected to continue to grow strongly and quickly in the future, and that increasing numbers of both new and established growers will enter the category.
"If produce people see that there is money to be made with a product, they will stick it in the ground to grow," he said.
"Last year, growers in the state produced about 6 million pounds of blueberries, and the year before we were at 4.5 million," said Tom Cobb, vice president of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association and owner of Bee Branch Farms Inc. in La Belle, FL, a blueberry producer. "About four years ago, growers were producing no more than about 2.5 million pounds. Although we will be down a little this season from last year's volume because of weather- related issues, overall state volumes have more than doubled in the past few years. That's a little faster than what most people consider gradual growth, and the future looks bright for continued increases."
About four growers represent the largest percentage of the harvested crop, all of which goes to the fresh market, Mr. Cobb said of the numerous Florida growers now producing blueberries.
Historically, Florida blueberry production was limited to the panhandle regions of Florida near Gainesville, where more defined seasonal temperatures prevail. But new varieties that are amenable to lower temperatures have resulted in increased production.
Mr. Cobb said that the short six-week window fits perfectly into the blueberry market and helps to fill the growing consumer demand for blueberries.
"Economics is the number one reason this is an important window," Mr. Cobb said. "When we start producing in early April, fresh blueberries are not available from anywhere else in the world. As the season progresses, our primary competition comes from Chile. But Chilean berries are put into controlled-temperature storage and can be as much as six weeks old when they reach retailers. Florida blueberries are on grocers' shelves within three to four days of harvest. This makes a difference in quality, shelf life and even in the nutritional attributes of the berries."
The market window for Florida is distinct in not only its timing but also in its pricing. Growers there know they cannot compete with northern states like Michigan and New Jersey when crops in those regions come on, so they do not attempt to grow late-summer or fall blueberry crops.
"Commercial growers in those regions harvest by machine, which keeps prices low," explained Mr. Cobb. "Florida blueberries are all hand-harvested. In some cases, total production costs for growers in the north are equivalent to our picking costs."
Florida blueberries are distributed throughout eastern and midwestern states, and into Canada. A significant portion is also shipped to Europe and Japan, and other Asian countries are showing increased interest in the product. Mr. Cobb said that the berries are air-freighted to destinations.
Although Florida's strong blueberry growth has spiked in just the past few years, efforts to develop the industry have been ongoing since 1948, when the University of Florida began a blueberry breeding program to develop early-ripening cultivars with low chilling requirements that would adapt to Florida's subtropical climates.
Many developments were made through the collaboration of research and grower professionals over the years, but the biggest breakthrough came in 1982, when Herold Krupka, a farmer in Boswick, FL, became the first to export blueberries commercially for $5 a pound.
This activity increased growers' interest in producing berries for the April- May market window.
Despite the inspiration, a blueberry variety perfectly suited to the warm Florida weather had not been introduced at that time. The credit for the ultimate accomplishment goes to Paul Lyrene, a blueberry breeder for the University of Florida and a director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. Mr. Cobb said that Mr. Lyrene is also encyclopedic in terms of blueberry knowledge.
"At least two varieties must be planted at one time because they cross- pollinate," explained Mr. Cobb. "Previous researchers developed a couple of warm-weather varieties, but Paul expanded the number of choices available. This has made it possible for south Florida growers to increase their crop quality and volumes."
Jerry Mixon, owner of Sunny Ridge Farms in Haines City, FL, and a FBGA director, said that his family-owned firm markets and ships blueberries, blackberries and raspberries from its partner-growers in numerous states, including Florida, and in Canada, Chile, Mexico and Argentina. It also imports from other areas of the world as demand dictates.
"The Florida window has changed a lot in the last several years," said Mr. Mixon. "Just over a decade ago, no other area of the world was producing blueberries during this period. Today, Chile produces in April and Georgia has some April movement. But despite the opportunities, we face the same challenges as others, including labor problems, water issues, high upstart and upkeep costs and more.
"Producing blueberries is not a cheap endeavor, and we have to be shrewd business people, grow good crops and offer the highest possible level of customer satisfaction to survive," he continued. "It is true that Florida blueberries are outstanding in their quality because they are shipped fresh without going into controlled atmosphere."
Despite the challenges, Mr. Mixon said that the Florida blueberry industry is expected to continue to grow strongly and quickly in the future, and that increasing numbers of both new and established growers will enter the category.
"If produce people see that there is money to be made with a product, they will stick it in the ground to grow," he said.
