An Overview of Florida’s An Overview of Florida’s Blueberry Industry Blueberry Industry

Jeff Williamson Jeff Williamson

Horticultural Sciences Dept.Horticultural Sciences Dept.

IFAS, University of Florida IFAS, University of Florida

Florida’s Blueberry HistoryFlorida’s Blueberry History

Between 1948 and 1950 Professor Between 1948 and 1950 Professor Sharpe began a blueberry breeding Sharpe began a blueberry breeding program at the University of Florida.program at the University of Florida.

In 1976 Sherman and Sharpe In 1976 Sherman and Sharpe released the first southern highbush released the first southern highbush cultivars – Sharpblue and Flordablue. cultivars – Sharpblue and Flordablue.

Florida’s Blueberry HistoryFlorida’s Blueberry History

In 1982 Mr. Herald Krupka shipped In 1982 Mr. Herald Krupka shipped the first SHB blueberries (Sharpblue the first SHB blueberries (Sharpblue and Flordablue) out of state and and Flordablue) out of state and received $5/pound at the New York received $5/pound at the New York market. market.

Florida Blueberry History Florida Blueberry History

During the mid-1980’s large plantings During the mid-1980’s large plantings of early-season rabbiteyes and some of early-season rabbiteyes and some southern highbush were planted in southern highbush were planted in northwest and north-central Florida. northwest and north-central Florida.

In the 1990’s, as better cultivars were In the 1990’s, as better cultivars were developed, southern highbush largely developed, southern highbush largely replaced early-season rabbiteyes. replaced early-season rabbiteyes.

Florida’s Blueberry AcreageFlorida’s Blueberry Acreage

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Year

Acr

es

94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Florida Blueberry ProductionFlorida Blueberry Production(million pounds)(million pounds)

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1

2

3

4

5

6

Year

Lb

s. o

f blu

eb

err

ies

93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Value of Florida Blueberry IndustryValue of Florida Blueberry Industry (million US dollars) (million US dollars)

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Year

Mill

ion

US

$

96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Average Price Per Pound of BerriesAverage Price Per Pound of Berries(US dollars)(US dollars)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Year

US

$ p

er

lb.

96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

4/7

4/14

4/21

4/28 5/

55/

12

Date

Ber

ry p

rices

for

2003

-03

($/lb

.)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2002

ber

ry h

arve

st (

10,0

00 lb

. uni

ts)

Average price per pound (US$) 10,000 lb. Units

Blueberry Prices and Shipments

Florida’s Blueberry Industry Florida’s Blueberry Industry

Ranked 4Ranked 4thth in US in blueberry crop value in in US in blueberry crop value in 2005 ($32,760,000). 2005 ($32,760,000).

Acreage increased from 1500 a (2000) to Acreage increased from 1500 a (2000) to 2800 a (2006). 2800 a (2006).

2005 statewide production: over 5 million 2005 statewide production: over 5 million pounds. pounds.

Average berry price for the last seven Average berry price for the last seven years has varied from $4.00 to $5.00+ per years has varied from $4.00 to $5.00+ per pound. pound.

Cost of Establishment Cost of Establishment

Land Preparation Land Preparation $1500 $1500 Pine bark (450 ydPine bark (450 yd33) ) $4500 $4500 Plant costs (1800/a) Plant costs (1800/a) $4500 $4500 Overhead irrigation Overhead irrigation $4750 $4750 Labor (2 ½ years)Labor (2 ½ years) $3000 $3000 Chemicals Chemicals $ 500 $ 500 Total establishment costs Total establishment costs $18,750 $18,750

Harvest Costs Harvest Costs

Picking costs per flat Picking costs per flat $4.90 $4.90 Packing costs per flat Packing costs per flat $0.75 $0.75 Packing materials per flat Packing materials per flat $1.28 $1.28 Broker fee per flat Broker fee per flat $2.35 $2.35 Upkeep and maintenance Upkeep and maintenance $2.00 $2.00 Total costs per flat* Total costs per flat* $11.28$11.28

*Many growers believe $12.00 per flat *Many growers believe $12.00 per flat ($3.5/lb) is the approx. break even point. ($3.5/lb) is the approx. break even point.

Factors Influencing the Growth Factors Influencing the Growth of Florida’s Blueberry Industryof Florida’s Blueberry Industry

Improved cultivars Improved cultivars Sharpblue and Sharpblue and

Misty were the most Misty were the most widely planted widely planted cultivars until cultivars until newer, improved, newer, improved, cultivars were cultivars were released during the released during the 1990’s. 1990’s.

Cultivar Development Cultivar Development

Newer cultivars Newer cultivars such as Jewel, such as Jewel, Emerald and Star Emerald and Star have improved have improved quality, increased quality, increased yield and yield and production production efficiency, and efficiency, and advanced harvest advanced harvest date. date.

Freeze Protection Freeze Protection

Improved Packinghouse Improved Packinghouse FacilitiesFacilities

Improved Pest and Disease Improved Pest and Disease ManagementManagement

SummarySummary

Florida’s blueberry has steadily increased in Florida’s blueberry has steadily increased in acreage, value and crop production during acreage, value and crop production during the last 7 years. the last 7 years.

Prices have remained high despite increased Prices have remained high despite increased production. production.

New plantings indicate continued growth for New plantings indicate continued growth for the immediate future. the immediate future.

Improved cultivars and cultural practices Improved cultivars and cultural practices have resulted in consistent annual have resulted in consistent annual production production

For how long, and to what extent, will For how long, and to what extent, will Florida’s blueberry industry continue to Florida’s blueberry industry continue to grow? grow?

Thank YouThank You

For more information visit the Small For more information visit the Small Farms web at Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu

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