The supply of blueberries in North America is strong. “Georgia is already past its peak production, and next week the Highbush varieties will be finished,” says Tim Crane, Oppy Blueberry Category Manager. «Next week we will load the new crop from North Carolina for the first time; a little later than expected, but the calendar has worked in our favor. “With a particularly long season window, it has the potential to be the biggest deal in the east.” Crane adds that in the past, it has been difficult to supply year-round blueberries on both coasts, so the addition of North Carolina helps solve this problem.

For Oppy, blueberries are part of a larger program of four berries which includes strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. As for blueberries, it has conventional and organic blueberries, as well as berries jumbo, all within the framework of an exclusive partnership with Ocean Spray which, for Oppy, continues to grow each year.

The blueberry season schedule is similar to last year. «The quality and caliber have started very well. The berries "They are obviously large and we are starting to see some vibrant colors," says Crane.

Blueberry demand is strong on the East Coast, especially with domestic production available.

Other producing areas
While Georgia ends its production, North Carolina will continue supplying the East Coast until mid-July, and New Jersey will begin production in early June. On the West Coast, blueberries will come from Mexico through May, and California will have a strong season from June to late August. “This brings us to a perfect time for our agreements with Washington and British Columbia, where we expect a very strong season compared to last year. These areas will supply both the east and the west with Peruvian products until the end of the year," says Crane.

As for demand, it is strong on the East Coast, especially with domestic production available. «We are delighted to give our partners retailers “exactly what they have been asking for with this new area added,” says Crane.

When it comes to what consumers are looking for in blueberries, they continue to demand packaging solutions, and Crane says that Oppy consistently looks for sustainable options for its products. In fact, it will soon incorporate into its range of berries a heat-sealing option, as part of its efforts to reduce plastic consumption.

Tim Crane claims that Oppy is also in its third season of berries Haskap.

Standing out on the shelves
On its packaging, Oppy's partnership with Ocean Spray also helps to differentiate itself in the category, which is typically hampered by label contamination. Crane claims that, according to an independent study, the Ocean Spray brand is 96% known.

Looking ahead, North Carolina will ramp up production over the next three weeks, with peak blueberry volumes throughout the month of June. In addition to the annual blueberry program, which also offers berries from Chile, Mexico, Peru, Canada and the US, will start producing San Joaquin Valley berries next month. The offer is currently coming from Mexico.

Oppy is also in his third season of Haskap. The Haskap is a berry unique that is not traditionally known outside of the farmers markets of the west coast of Canada. “It was only available to customers in the Greater Vancouver area in 2020, but it has created quite a stir across North America as customers retailers National chains, regional chains and independents were hoping to try it,” shares Crane. “We are delighted to expand this cultivation with our customer base.”