Editor's Note: The following report is from The Packer's Fresh Trends 2023, which provides information based on consumer survey responses. Since 1983, The Packer has sponsored 40 major consumer studies to track trends in fresh produce purchases and consumption, documenting fluctuations in purchases of specific fruits and vegetables as well as changing attitudes toward industry issues.

With imports now accounting for nearly 60% of the total blueberry supply, blueberry consumption has seen huge gains in recent years.

The USDA reports that per capita retail availability of blueberries increased from 1,2 pounds in 2011 to 2,1 pounds in 2019.

Packer's Fresh Trends 2023 survey revealed that 37% of consumers reported blueberry purchases in the past year, compared to 41% in Fresh Trends 2022 and 43% in Fresh Trends 2021.

USDA statistics show that the average fob price for blueberries in 2022 was $19,84 per box, down 5% from the $20,82 per box in 2021.

The USDA reported that the average advertised retail price for blueberries was $3,83 per unit in 2022, up 6% from $3,60 per unit in 2021. The number of stores promoting blueberries in 2022 totaled 964 054, 9% less than the 1,1 million in 2021.

Higher income levels are associated with higher blueberry purchases, according to Fresh Trends 2023 , as 47% of consumers making more than $100 a year reported blueberry purchases, compared to just 000% making less than $26 a year.

Older consumers were the most frequent buyers of blueberries, according to Fresh Trends 2023 , with 44% of shoppers age 60 and older reporting purchases of fresh blueberries, compared to 41% of those age 50-59, 33% of those age 40-49, 34% of those from 30 to 39 years old and 29% of those from 18 to 29 years old.