By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University.
 
Reviewed May 2009.


Overview

The lowbush species of blueberry is commonly referred to as wild blueberry. It is one of four fruit crops that is native to North America. The lowbush is a wild crop, which means it is not planted or selected, just managed intensely. Maine is the leading producer of lowbush blueberries in the world. In 2008, a total of 89.9 million pounds of wild blueberries was grown. The 2008 value of fresh and processed wild blueberries was $54.7 million.

Michigan is the number one state in highbush blueberries in the world. In 2008, Michigan grew a total of 110 million pounds of blueberries. Fresh and processed Michigan blueberries were valued at $124 million. Highbush varieties are established using two or three-year-old bare root or container-grown plants. Highbush blueberries require milder growing conditions compared to lowbush and many tend to be irrigated. In 2008, a total of 348.9 million pounds of cultivated (highbush) blueberries were grown in the United States. Fresh and processed blueberries were valued at $538.6 million.

According to the USDA, per person consumption of fresh blueberries in 2007 was 0.57 pound, while consumption of frozen blueberries was another 0.3 pound. 


Sources

Fruits and Tree Nuts, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.

Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.

Trends in the U.S. Blueberry Industry, ERS, USDA, 2003 - This brief report gives an overview of U.S. blueberry production and consumption.
 

Marketing

• Blueberries (Domestic Production & International Trade Info), FASonline, USDA. 
• U.S. Blueberry Industry, ERS, USDA - This site has production, consumption and world trade statistics.
• U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council - This grower association was established in 2002 to serve the U.S. blueberry industry and promote the consumption of blueberries.
• Wild Blueberry Association of North America - Since forming in 1981, this organization of growers and processors from Maine and Canada has promoted wild blueberries.

Production

• 2009 Pest Management Guide for Commercial Small Fruits, Washington State University - This research-based document outlines cultural and chemical controls for raspberries as well as blueberries and strawberries. It includes integrated pest management methods for insects, diseases and weeds.
• Blueberries Fruit Advisory Online Workshops, Missouri State University - This online workshop, divided into learning modules, provides step-by-step instruction on blueberry establishment.
• Blueberry Production for Local Sales and Small Pick-Your-Own Operators, North Carolina Cooperative Extension - This document provides general guidelines and includes sources for cuttings.
• Crop Profile for Blueberries in Tennessee, 2008.
• Growing Highbush Blueberries, University of Maine Cooperative Extension - This how-to online guide provides information for berry production in Northern New England.
• Michigan Blueberries, Michigan State University - This site lists numerous blueberry resources.
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• Northwest Berry & Grape Information Network Blueberry Production - This site provides a thorough listing of blueberry topics including marketing options. 
• Postharvest Cooling and Handling of Blueberries, North Carolina State University - This bulletin explains postharvest handling procedures used in commercial blueberry production.

Businesses/Case Studies

• Blueberries, The New American Farmer, Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE), USDA - Describes the operations of four blueberry producers located throughout the United States.
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• Blueberry Hill Farm, Berkshire County, Massachusetts - This pick-your-own blueberry farm raises three varieties of highbush blueberries and has grown blueberries for more than 50 years.
• Blueberry Hill Farms, Edom, Texas - This farm features a 10-acre blueberry orchard. Visitors can pick berries themselves or call in an order and have the farm pick berries in 10-pound increments.
• Bluegrass Blueberries, Edmonton, Kentucky - This case study, prepared by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in 2002, discusses how the owners plan to tackle future expansion of their own business first and then the Kentucky berry industry in general.
• Gillam Farms, Judsonia, Arkansas - This family farm consists of more than 500 acres of fruits and vegetables. Main crops consist of blackberries and blueberries.
• Merrill Blueberry Farms, Ellsworth, Maine - A fourth-generation operation whose harvested berries go through the Individually Quick Frozen method to preserve taste and nutrition.
• Springbank Farm, Lebanon, Oregon - This blueberry farm in Linn County, Oregon, used a VAPG award to study the feasibility of making and selling blueberry wine.
• The Tammen Treeberry Farm, Wilmington, Illinois - This farm markets cut-your-own Christmas trees and pick-your-own blueberries. Blueberries are grown on 50 acres and all are sold directly to customers.

Links checked November 2009.