Record year for Florida blueberries
Randy Knapp, blueberry grower from Polk County, is a happy man right now.
Their farm, Five Star Family Growers, has just finished harvesting 226.800 kilos of berries. Not bad for a place that only has been active for four seasons.
Five Star has contributed to a record year for the size of the Florida blueberry crop. Throughout the state, producers have harvested more than 11,3 million kilos. This is an impressive increase compared to last year, when they harvested about 7,3 million kilos. Experts attribute this increase to the fact that more people have joined the industry since producers have planted more hectares because the future looks promising.
At Five Star they are so excited that the owners plan to incorporate a greenhouse and plant more acres soon.
Although producers have picked up a record crop, there is something that disappoints them; They say they wish they had achieved a higher price for their product.
Undoubtedly, it is not difficult to sell blueberries. In addition to those who buy them to consume them or make wine or food coloring, pharmaceutical companies buy them to make nutraceuticals because of their antioxidant content.
“Phenomenal results are being seen with type II and type I diabetes,” says Five Star Farm manager Bill Johnson.
Source: Myfoxtampabay.com
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