USA UU (Georgia): Low supply of blueberries, but improvements are foreseen

USA UU (Georgia): Low supply of blueberries, but improvements are expected

31/05/2016

Warmer weather conditions, poor pollination conditions and labor problems have contributed to the reduction of the current supply of blueberries from parts of the southeastern United States.

«Supply will be low for the next few weeks in Georgia, but will recover in mid-June», predicts Samantha Kilgore of the Georgia Cranberry Committee, and explains the impact of temperatures on this year's crops.

«It is vital that blueberries, and many other small fruits, receive enough cold hours to ripen correctly. This year, Georgia's cold hours have come late, and then have been sporadic.".

The Committee of the Blueberry of Georgia informs that, although the state has produced almost 40 million kilos of blueberries per year in the past, this year, the figure will be much lower. The duration of the growing season in this region can help offset an even greater reduction in supply. "Georgia is proud to have one of the longest seasons in the US, from mid-April to mid-July"adds Kilgore.

This tiny fruit full of nutrients is in great demand.

“Demand for blueberries continues to increase across the US, which is positive. However, there are many other states that produce an important blueberry crop and were already doing so ten years ago. “Now, Georgia’s season is very close to the seasons of several surrounding states, such as North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas,” Kilgore explains.

The fruit, more than a simple snack, is usually incorporated in different dishes and recipes.

“Blueberries are extremely versatile, so there is little waste of produce that is not sold fresh to stores. Georgia blueberries can be found in the form of cranberry juice, blueberry jams and jellies, in frozen bags in stores, and are sold to the horeca sector, like the blueberries in muffins sold at Starbucks..

Source: Fresh Plaza