January 29 2008, 08:53

Blueberry harvest sharply increased in USA in 2007

USDA informs, favorable weather conditions 2007 let the producers have high blueberry harvest in the US.

The farmers of Michigan state, the leader of blueberry production in the USA, harvested around 42,200 tons of cultivated blueberries in 2007. Maine state occupied the second place as for the production volumes; mainly wild blueberry is harvested there. This state collected 34,900 tons of blueberries - this is one of the most important local products. New Jersey state is on the third place with the volume of blueberry production on the level of 24,500 tons.

Despite of the increased blueberry harvest, prices for this product also increased 3-5% in average comparing to the previous year; the price for blueberry reached $3.7-3.9/kg. To the expert's opinion, the main reason for the price increase is the zooming up demand of the consumers to this berry due to the high content of antioxidants. Antioxidants are believed to be highly efficient for the control of cancer, Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases, and also a number of other diseases.

The most part of the blueberry of US origin is processed for the production of yogurt, juices, muesli, confectionary products, etc.; just relatively small part of blueberry harvest is sold fresh.

According to the data of CIS produce business periodical "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", Ukraine is the largest supplier of wild blueberry in Europe. The interest to the production of cultivated blueberry is constantly increasing in the country.