USA: Demand for berries continues to grow

12/05/2015

Studies show and industry confirms: berries continue to increase in popularity within the US market, especially blueberries and blackberries.

«For blueberries and blackberries, this year's demand has been exponentially greater than it has been in the past"said Eric Crawford, president of Fresh Results LLC of Sunrise, Florida.

The company continues to look for new producers, since demand is always greater, and they stay «short«, needing more blueberries and blackberries.

Marcos Villata, executive director of the US Highbush Blueberry Council in Folsom, Calif., Said the figures point to a continued increase in production to meet demand. At 2013, North America produced 682 million pounds of blueberries, and at 2014, the estimate was 744 million pounds of blueberries. This year, the numbers should continue to rise because the new plants are more mature and produce more berries.

According to the US Highbush Blueberry Council, a study by 2013 concluded that consumers are twice as likely as they were nine years ago to buy blueberries, while the number of households claiming to have bought blueberries within the past month (69%) It has also practically doubled since the 2008 year.

These statements are also supported by "Produce for Better Health Foundation's", which has pointed out in a study that the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the United States also shows an increase in the consumption of berries. The report notes that children of all ages are consuming more fruits, and that berries, bananas, apples and oranges are driving this increase. Additionally, adults ages 18 to 44 are eating more fruit for breakfast, specifically berries and bananas.

Source: SimFRUIT based on information from The Produce News