23.12.2007 About blueberries in the USA

Blueberries By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University. Reviewed June 2007. Overview The lowbush species of blueberry is commonly referred to as wild blueberry. It is one of four fruit crops that is native to North America. The lowbush is a wild crop, which means it is not planted or selected, just managed intensely. Maine is the leading producer of lowbush blueberries in the world. In 2006, a total of 74.6 million pounds of wild blueberries was grown. The 2006 value of fresh and processed wild blueberries was million. Michigan is the number one state in highbush blueberries in the world. In 2006, Michigan grew a total of 83 million pounds of blueberries. Fresh and processed Michigan blueberries were valued at 9.7 million. Highbush varieties are established using two or three-year-old bare root or container-grown plants. Highbush blueberries require milder growing conditions compared to lowbush and many tend to be irrigated. In 2006, a total of 275.5 million pounds of cultivated (highbush) blueberries were grown in the United States. Fresh and processed blueberries were valued at $ 497.7 million.