Five Ways To Buy & Sell Imported Blueberries

Imports fuel growth as the year-round demand surges.

Blueberries have an incredible, century-old story that spans from local to global. The turn of the 20th century saw a cranberry farmer and a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) botanist put their talents together to develop the first domesticated blueberry in Whitesbog, NJ. By 1916, the duo sold their first commercial highbush blueberry crop, and today, 38 U.S. states grow these little blue dynamos as a business. Washington, Oregon, and Georgia are the top three producers, according to USDA data as shared by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), headquartered in Folsom, CA.

However, that’s only half the story. In the early 21st century, the U.S. began to import blueberries in significant quantities. This reflected the growing global supply of cultivated blueberries, plus something much more important: consumer demand.

Shoppers’ cravings, plus greater supply, boosted per capita consumption of blueberries from 0.26 pounds in 2000 to 2.54 pounds in 2021 based on USDA ERS 2023 data.

“Consumers want blueberries year-round now,” says Marc Goldman, produce director, Morton Williams Supermarkets, a 17-store chain headquartered in the Bronx, NY, and a subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp.

In 2024, U.S. imports of fresh blueberries hit a record 684 million pounds, up 22% from the previous year, and were valued at $2.18 billion. According to the USDA Economic Research Service’s Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook for March 27, 2025, this made blueberries the fourth most valuable fresh fruit import in the U.S., following avocados, bananas and grapes.

“With the global production of blueberries increasing exponentially each year, it is simply a matter of time until they become the No. 1 harvested, picked, and consumed item in the berry category,” says Tom Linaris, berry buyer for Katzman, on the Hunts Point Terminal Market, in Bronx, NY.

“During the fall, winter, and spring, the imported fruit has proven to be a strong and reliable source for national promotions, with consistency in the supply chain (inbounds), quality, and flavor profile. The introduction of new proprietary varieties through advanced breeding programs is also fueling growth.”

Here’s how to ensure retail shelves stay stocked and sales sweet with imported blueberries:

1. FOLLOW THE COUNTER SEASONS

To meet strong year-round consumer demand, the U.S. relies on imported blueberries from trade partners in Peru, Mexico, Chile and Canada, according to Kasey Cronquist, USHBC president. “These imports complement domestic production, keeping blueberries in front of consumers in the produce department.”

Peru, Mexico and Chile supply nearly 90% of imported blueberries to the U.S. by volume, according to USHBC data.

Wholesaler Shapiro-Gilman-Shandler Co. (SGS), in Los Angeles, CA, imports from Peru (late August-January), Mexico (September-May), and Chile (December-February), according to Stevie Shandler, berry manager.

“Roughly two-thirds of fresh blueberries sold in the U.S. now come from imports, so these windows are critical for us,” she says.

Peru’s peak production will arrive between weeks 41 and 51 (Oct. 6 to Dec. 21), with ample promotion opportunities, according to Doug LaCroix, director of sales and marketing for Family Tree Farms, in Reedley, CA. The company exclusively markets premium blueberries with MBO genetics in North America. These are varieties developed in Australia, which feature attractive attributes such as an extra-large size.

“We have yet to keep up with demand, so we are continuing to expand,” says LaCroix. “Because Peru can produce such high-quality fruit, over an eight-month harvest window, we plan to expand here.”

But tariffs have affected the allocation of the Peruvian crop, LaCroix adds. “The early data shows that the Peruvian industry is sending a disproportionate amount of the crop to Asia and Europe, to mitigate some of the tariff risks/costs associated with the U.S.”

Blueberries from Mexico and Canada are currently exempt from tariffs, while blueberries from Peru and Chile are subject to the baseline 10% reciprocal tariff.

Brian Bocock, vice president of product management at Naturipe Farms, headquartered in Salinas, CA, says both Chile and Mexico are “re-inventing themselves through improved genetics that are focused on firmness and flavor.”

Southern Specialties, a Pompano Beach, FL-based grower, processor, and distributor, sources its blueberries from British Columbia, Canada, in August and September.

“Argentina and Uruguay contribute fruit from September through December, while Colombia provides limited volumes in February and March,” says Katzman’s Linaris. “Other countries are actively testing and developing production with a focus on filling the critical gap between February and April, when import supplies begin to wind down and the domestic season is just starting. Colombia, in particular, shows very good promise, with excellent growing conditions during this window.”

2. SOURCE A VARIETY OF SKUS

Retail produce buyers can build a bigger blueberry category in the import season by actively sourcing berries of different sizes, assorted packaging choices, and organic, as well as conventionally grown fruit.

“Jumbo-size blueberries jump out on the shelf and have been a game-changer that drives dollars in the category,” says Jason Kazmirski, retail specialist for Charlie’s Produce, in Seattle, WA, which supplies several retailers in the Pacific Northwest, such as Metropolitan Market, Fred Meyer and Sprouts.

Family Tree Farms pioneered the jumbo 9.8-ounce blueberry SKU over 15 years ago. “There was initial skepticism from retail that blueberries could justify an additional, premium SKU without cannibalizing traditional SKUs,” says LaCroix. “The adoption has been so successful over this timeframe that almost all our retail partners are demanding a third, premium SKU. Some even report that this SKU is their highest performing in the department.”

Pints remain the best-selling pack size and have essentially become the industry standard, according to Linaris. “Larger sizes, such as 18-ounce and 2-pound packs, are gaining traction, particularly with big-box retailers.”

At Morton Williams, the 6-ounce clamshells are most popular during the winter, according to Goldman, although the stores carry larger sizes, too, depending on the season and availability.

Organic blueberries make up around 15% of imports to the U.S., according to the USDA Economic Research Service.

“We handle both conventional and organic blueberries, with organic volumes increasing steadily from Peru and Chile. Organics are also an area of growth, and we’ll be collaborating with our partners on promotional ads timed to Mexico and Chile’s strongest weeks,” says SGS’s Shandler.

3. BUYERS PREPARE: ASK KEY QUESTIONS

From a procurement standpoint, planning with customers is essential when it comes to imported blueberries, says Gary Caloroso, regional business development director for The Giumarra Companies, Los Angeles, CA. “We work closely with them to identify the optimal timing for transitioning from one origin to the next. With lead time, we can provide stronger support through customized merchandising, as well as tailored sales and marketing programs.”

“The biggest question we get asked in other markets that isn’t asked enough in North America is ‘what varieties am I buying?’” says Family Tree Farms’ LaCroix. “The answer to this question will give a buyer more control over the quality, volume, and timing that they are receiving. Other markets seem to be more knowledgeable about the separation in genetics, how they perform in different growing regions, having moved away from commodity buying.”

Less commonly asked, but just as critical to a successful blueberry program, are questions about varieties, labeling, sizing, and consistency between buyers, sellers and shippers. “These details can make a real difference,” says Katzman’s Linaris.

4. TURN CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Navigating peak volumes during the Peruvian window is a challenge, notes LaCroix. “We are meeting this challenge by planting new MBO varieties that naturally produce earlier and later in the season, as well as adapting timing with existing varieties that respond to different pruning techniques and/or growing locations in Peru.”

From a distributor’s perspective, another challenge is the overlap of seasons, which puts pressure on prices and increases the risk of quality loss during long transit periods. “We turn these into opportunities by planning tiered promotions, specifying varieties, handling practices, and building substitution paths across origins to keep ads intact,” says Shandler.

An ongoing task for retailers is simply reminding shoppers that fresh blueberries are available year-round. “When retailers position berries at the front of the produce section, customers are reminded to buy,” says Naturipe’s Bocock.

5. KEEP DEMAND UP WITH SUPPLY

Customers at Morton Williams Supermarkets can purchase blueberries in clamshell packs, but that’s only one way, says Goldman. “We have a large cut fruit program and will include berries throughout the year in fresh fruit cups, berry bowls, and with fruit like watermelon to add color.”

While blueberries’ well-known nutritional benefits have long fueled consumption, The Giumarra Companies supports the USHBC’s strategy to build on this strong health message, says Caloroso. “This is by adding greater emphasis on taste and ease-of-use through expanded marketing efforts.”

Looking ahead, the USHBC will position blueberries as a flavor-forward, exciting choice that competes with other top-tier products, says Cronquist. “That’s part of our vision to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit. Some even say we should aim to be the world’s favorite snack.”