Blueberry crop looking healthy as WA continues to dominate industry

ELTOPIA — Washington continues to dominate the American blueberry market with the state producing more than any other state or Canada, said Washington Blueberry Commission Executive Director Alan Schreiber. 

“We’re the number-one producer. Forty-five percent is in the greater Columbia Basin, so the Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley. Fifty-five percent is on the west side. Production in Eastern Washington looks to be pretty strong,” Schreiber said. 

The Washington blueberry harvest has started with Eastern Washington farmers starting a few weeks before those on the west side. Schreiber said the quality appears to be good so far and the main challenge for the crop has been hotter-than-usual weather. Many growers are focused on ensuring their crops don’t get hit hard by the sun and that their workers are hydrated and safe, while still focusing on getting the crop in and then out to market.

“The hot weather has taken a lot of the fun out of harvest, but yields seem to be pretty good,” Schreiber said. 

Pressure from insects and disease in blueberry plants appear low and the labor force seems to be adequate for this year’s crop, he said. 

As of July 17, the yield seemed to be looking up, but Schreiber said it was too early to discuss what the price for blueberries would look like this year. However, he is aware that about 70% of the Washington blueberry is in processed fruit and there are little to no blueberries in inventory for processors and distributors, which is a positive sign for growers. 

“We know that there are no processed blueberries in inventory, and so we expect that market to be strong. I don’t know how the fresh market is doing. It’s too soon for me to offer opinion on what the fresh market is going to be like,” Schreiber said. 

Drought may have an impact on the crop overall, but Schreiber said blueberry growers are fortunate in that blueberries don’t require a lot of water. 

“A lot of the blueberries are in places where they have junior water rights, but blueberries do not require a lot of water, so they have to manage their water very carefully. Very carefully. And I think we are going to get by, but it’s going to be tight. I think most growers think they’re going to be fine,” Schreiber said. 

The blueberry harvest appears to be going well overall and blueberry growers haven’t seen a problem with transportation logistics – getting enough truckers to haul fruit – like some other industries have over the last few years. It’s really been more of a focus on field hands that make sure the berries are harvested.

With triple-digit heat on the East Side for most of mid-July, the main concern right now is making sure that workers are healthy and safe, he said. That means providing water, breaks to cool down and overhead cooling as much as possible. 

“Our most valuable asset is our workers, and so we have to take care of them,” Schreiber said.