What?

The blueberry, genus Vaccinium and native American species, is no youngster; botanists estimate it's been around for more than 13,000 years. However, it wasn't cultivated until the early 20th century. Elizabeth White and Dr. Frederick V. Coville were the first to develop the hybrid for cultivated highbush blueberries by domesticating and improving wild highbush blueberry species. The result is a plump, juicy, sweet and easy-to-pick berry with color ranging from deep purple-blue to blue-black, highlighted by a silvery sheen called a "bloom".

Botanically speaking, the blueberry is part of a family that includes the flowering azalea, mountain laurel and heather-plants that favor acid soil, plenty of water and a cool climate. Today, there are dozens of commercial highbush varieties thriving across the United States, Canada and South America. Although commercially produced in 38 states, six states account for more than 90% of the highbush crop: Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, North Carolina, Georgia and Washington. British Columbia is the primary highbush blueberry producer in Canada. Lowbush blueberries, used primarily in food processing, are grown in Maine and Eastern Canada.

How?

Highbush blueberries grow in clusters and don't all ripen at once. The berries at the bottom of the cluster can be ripe while the ones on top are still green. For the fresh market, blueberries are picked either by hand or with harvesting machines which gently shake each plant so only the ripe berries fall into the catching frame. Most of the machine-harvested blueberries are frozen immediately for use year round. See more about How Blueberries Grow.

How much?

Total production of both lowbush and highbush blueberries in North America reached an estimated 536 million pounds in 2006. Highbush blueberries accounted for 62% of total production. Highbush blueberry production in the United States and Canada has steadily increased over the years, from about 90 million pounds in 1980 to a production level in 2006 of 332 million pounds—269 million pounds in the U.S. and 63 million pounds in Canada.

Today, over half of all highbush blueberries are shipped to the fresh market, to keep pace with the ever-increasing demand. The rest are harvested to be frozen, pureed, concentrated, canned or dried to be used in a wide range of food products, including yogurt, pastries, muffins, cereals and health bars. More about the blueberry market situation

Where and When?

Fresh highbush blueberries are now available nearly 12 months of the year from producers in North and South America. North American blueberries are available from April through October, with the peak season being mid-June to mid-August. The earliest harvest is in the southern states, moving north into Canada as the season continues. Blueberry season in South America runs from November through March.