Peak volumes of conventional and organic blueberries are currently leaving the growing regions of the Pacific Northwest and these volumes are expected to continue through the end of August.

California Giant Berry Farms is harvesting blueberries from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. “So far, growing conditions have been optimal and the season has started strongly,” he says. Tom Smith, sales director, adding that the varieties he is growing focus on flavor, size, shelf life, high yield and disease resistance.

Volume is not expected to be affected by the upcoming heat wave that will reach 32 degrees in Washington and Oregon over the holiday weekend. “The northwest heat only peaks for a couple of hours and then drops quickly as the sun sets. Temperatures in British Columbia are ideal, with temperatures above 27°C, with the hope of starting harvest in seven to ten days,” says Smith.

autumn transition

Constant production is anticipated throughout the national season, which will extend until early September, and after that, the Peruvian fruit harvest will begin.

Thomas smith sales director California Giant Berry Farms

Abundant crops of high-quality fruit are needed to meet blueberry consumption rates. “However, increasing fruit volumes mean there is a need to keep demand high,” says Smith. “Efforts by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and marketers are addressing this trend. Studies suggest there is room for growth even in established markets like the US, where almost half of households still consume no or very few blueberries.

As the total supply of blueberries continues to grow and strengthen throughout the year, there is a growing need to keep demand high while introducing new varieties that customers and consumers enjoy, while maintaining profitability for our growers. .

To help maintain that supply peak, last year California Giant opened a blueberry packaging facility with state-of-the-art grading and packaging capabilities. “This has increased our ability to sort by size and quality into packages,” says Smith.