Florida Blueberry Industry Feels Crush of Coronavirus and Imports

Florida’s blueberry industry faced an especially difficult 2020 season as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted markets just as growers were entering their peak production period. At the same time, increasing imports from Mexico added even more pressure to an already challenging market, contributing to historically low prices for Florida blueberries.

For growers, the challenges extend beyond market prices. Labor is one of the largest expenses in blueberry production, while U.S. growers also face significant regulatory, environmental and food safety costs. Meanwhile, foreign producers can benefit from lower production costs and government support.

Despite these challenges, Florida growers are continuing to look for ways to remain competitive. Some are investing in mechanical harvesting and transitioning to newer blueberry varieties developed with machine harvesting in mind.

The experience of Florida’s blueberry industry highlights the growing concerns many U.S. specialty crop producers face when competing with imported products. Read the full story from Growing Produce to learn more about the challenges facing Florida blueberry growers and the industry’s efforts to adapt.