I have described in previous newsletters research currently underway to develop fresh market blueberries as an alternative new crop for diverse California growing areas. Much of the impetus behind this research program has been the results of market analyses showing potentially profitable blueberry market windows. In mild California production areas it is possible to extend the blueberry harvest season early and late.

A meeting organized by Manuel Jimenez, Tulare Co. Farm Advisor, and held on May 16, 2001, at the U.C. Kearney Agricultural Center in Parlier, brought together growers, researchers, and nurserymen to discuss the research results and experience to date with blueberry production in diverse parts of California. This article has been extracted from my presentation at that meeting.

It is possible to summarize weekly prices for fresh blueberries in promising markets. Market prices are recorded daily by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service at key shipping points and wholesale markets around the U.S. and in several foreign countries (see http://www.ams.usda.gov.fv/mktnews.html) USDA-AMS also maintains historical data going back a few years at this site, and additional historical data is available at a Web site maintained by the University of Florida at http://mis.ifas.ufl.edu/~market/market.html". For those who do not use the Internet, much of the AMS data is available in hard copy reports from AMS at: Fruit and Vegetable Market News, USDA-AMS Customer Service Center, 559/487-5178 or 800/487-8796; FAX 559/487-5199.

Historical data is a useful tool to project anticipated prices for a given crop. I have summarized historical weekly wholesale prices for fresh blueberries in the Los Angeles Wholesale Terminal Market for the past three years. In a typical year, the production is typically from off-shore sites such as Chile, New Zealand, Australia, or Argentina from late September to early April (Fig. 1). Prices during this period are consistently high due to few domestic supplies and lower import volumes. But even after the first domestic supplies from Florida begin in early April, prices stay relatively high until volume increases in late June from multiple producing states.

Figure 1. Weekly fresh blueberry wholesale market prices for imported fruit from Chile, New Zealand, Argentina, and Canada for the 2000 season. Los Angeles Terminal Market.

The overall average weekly price is shown in Figure 2. Additional lines indicating plus or minus one standard deviation show the price variability in any given period. The prices shown are for 12-6 oz. baskets. Typically, these wholesale terminal market prices would need to be adjusted downward by approximately one-third to estimate the farm-gate price, but this amount will vary with specific circumstances. The wholesale price always includes additional handling costs, brokerage and transportation charges.

Figure 2. Three-year average (1998-2000) weekly wholesale prices for fresh blueberries in the los Angeles Terminal Market. Outer lines indicate plus or minus one standard deviation.

Individual farm operations can also use these figures to project periods when fresh blueberry production is profitable.

Our experience over the past few years with experimental plots at coastal locations and at the Kearney Ag. Station indicates that blueberries may begin production in the mid-March to mid-May period and, depending on the variety and growing area, continue to produce for 5-12 weeks. Initial data from blueberry field trials suggests that yields are similar among the same varieties across the locations, and the yields and timing of production differ among varieties. Yields in the Central Valley are more concentrated than in coastal growing areas, most likely due to temperature. Along the coast, production begins earlier in a typical year and produces over a longer period than in inland areas.

Generally speaking, the varieties with lower chill requirement will be earlier varieties and, depending upon the variety and year, may also be the higher yielding varieties. Although frost is uncommon in mild California growing areas during the March-May period, there is more of a frost risk with earlier fruiting varieties. Brief spring frosts will abort flowers and fruits and delay production.

There is some evidence that it may eventually be possible to harvest blueberries during the fall market window from mid-September to December. Some of the low-chilling southern highbush varieties, such as Sharpblue, will fruit again later in the season. Trials have been initiated to evaluate if pruning management and variety selection may be used to stimulate fall production.

Fresh market blueberries are an attractive new crop for mild California growing areas where low-chill varieties permit early harvest. Call 805/934-6240 for additional information.

Figure 3. Weekly production (grams per plant) of Sharpblue blueberry in San Luis Obispo Co., plotted against weekly average wholesale price. 2000 season.

Figure 4. Weekly production (grams per plant) of Sharpblue blueberry at the Kearney Ag. Center, Parlier, and in San Luis Obispo Co., plotted against weekly average wholesale price. 2000 season.

Figure 5. Weekly production (grams per plant) of Sharpblue blueberry in San Diego Co., plotted against production at the Kearney Ag. Center, Parlier, Santa Luis Obispo Co., and weekly average wholesale price. 2000 season.