PRODUCTION TRENDS IN THE CULTIVATED BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY OF NORTH AMERICA

Cultivated blueberry production in North America increased from 56,715 metric tons in 1986 to 83,260 metric tons in 1995. Cultivated types (northern highbush, southern highbush and rabbiteye) accounted for 59.5% of the total North American blueberry crop in 1995.

The largest concentrations of cultivated blueberry plantings are located in five regions of the United States and Canada; the Northeast/Atlantic, Midwest, Northwest, South and Southeast.
Within these regions, the planted area increased 34% from 1986 to 1996, and total production increased 48% during the same period.
The largest expansion occurred in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast.

The most widely grown northern highbush cultivar is ‘Bluecrop’. ‘Duke’, and to a lesser degree, ‘Elliott’, continue to increase in popularity.
Rabbiteye hectarage continues to expand in the South and Southeast US. The percentage of ‘Tifblue’ continues to decline as additional area is planted to earlier ripening rabbiteye cultivars.
The opportunity for profitable early season market returns has spurred development of the southern highbush industry.
Breeding and evaluation of new southern highbush selections and the implementation of high density production systems are increasing.

VI International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture

David L. Trinka

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.446.2