Current Status of Current Status of Blueberry Production in Blueberry Production in

Florida Florida Jeffrey G. WilliamsonJeffrey G. Williamson

Horticultural Sciences Dept.Horticultural Sciences Dept.Institute of Food and Agricultural Institute of Food and Agricultural

Sciences Sciences University of Florida University of Florida

Blueberry Consumption (US) Blueberry Consumption (US)

Data: USDA-NASS

BLUEBERRY PRODUCTIONBLUEBERRY PRODUCTIONIn Metric In Metric TTons/yearons/year

Country 2006 2007 2008USA 162,658 165,289 199,127

Canada 82,530 77,400 94,551

Poland 4,940 5,226 7,857

Lithuania 6,623 4,392 4,400

Germany 6,088 5,818 4,116

Romania 4,000 4,000 4,000

Netherlands 4,000 4,000 4,000

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/

CULTIVATED BLUEBERRYCULTIVATED BLUEBERRY2009 Harvested Acres2009 Harvested Acres

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/

Florida

BLUEBERRIES IN FLORIDABLUEBERRIES IN FLORIDA

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu

Year Harvested acres

Yield: lb/acre

Grower price $/lb

Production value ($) x

1000

2006 2,600 2,690 4.7 32,900

2007 2,600 3,000 5.0 39,000

2008 3,000 3,270 5.3 51,940 2009

* 3,200 4,220 5.4 72,900

* Estimate

Changes in Florida blueberry Changes in Florida blueberry production statistics during the 5-production statistics during the 5-

year period from 2007 to 2009 year period from 2007 to 2009

YearYearChange (%)Change (%)

   20072007 20092009

Harvested acresHarvested acres 2,6002,600 3,2003,200 +23+23

Yield/a (lbs.) Yield/a (lbs.) 3,0003,000 4,2204,220 +41+41

Production (1000 lbs.)Production (1000 lbs.) 7,8007,800 14,10014,100 +80+80

Mean Price ($/lb.)Mean Price ($/lb.) $5.00 $5.00 $5.40 $5.40 +8+8

Industry value ($1000)Industry value ($1000) $39,000 $39,000 $72,900 $72,900 +87+87

Source: USDA, NASS.Source: USDA, NASS.

2009 PRODUCTION VALUE2009 PRODUCTION VALUECULTIVATED BLUEBERRYCULTIVATED BLUEBERRY

Winter Chill Unit Winter Chill Unit AccumulationAccumulation

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

Source: USDA, NASS, 2007.

Blueberry prices and shipments -earliness is critical for profitability

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Harvest Costs Harvest Costs

Picking costs per flat Picking costs per flat $4.62 $4.62 Packing costs per flat Packing costs per flat $2.00 $2.00 Packing materials per flat Packing materials per flat $1.50 $1.50 Broker fee per flat Broker fee per flat $1.80-$2.00 $1.80-$2.00 Upkeep and maintenance Upkeep and maintenance $1.50 $1.50 Total costs per flat* Total costs per flat* $11.42-$11.62$11.42-$11.62*Many growers believe $12.00 per flat *Many growers believe $12.00 per flat

($3.24/lb) is the approx. break even point. A ($3.24/lb) is the approx. break even point. A flat weighs approx. 3.7 lbs. flat weighs approx. 3.7 lbs.

Early Challenges Early Challenges

Low productivity and high production costs Low productivity and high production costs Few cultivars of commercial quality Few cultivars of commercial quality Few pesticides available Few pesticides available General lack of knowledge General lack of knowledge

Insect and disease management Insect and disease management Freeze protection Freeze protection Pollination requirements Pollination requirements Site selection and managing mineral soils for Site selection and managing mineral soils for

blueberry productionblueberry production

Europe

North America

Med & North Africa

South Africa Asia

Central America

Mexico

South America

Pacific

North America South America Central America Mexico Europe

Med & North Africa South Africa Asia Pacific

Florida’s future in blueberriesFlorida’s future in blueberries

World acreage distributionWorld acreage distribution

Source: Cort Brazelton, Brazelton Ag Consulting & U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council © 2008

Competition from other production Competition from other production

regionsregions California California Chile Chile Mexico Mexico Southern Europe Southern Europe Mediterranean and Northern Africa Mediterranean and Northern Africa Florida? Florida?

South American blueberry South American blueberry production 2007production 2007

Hectares Hectares Production Production (million kg)(million kg)

Harvest Harvest periodperiod20032003 20052005 20072007

ChileChile 2,1082,108 45004500 10,88910,889 35.035.0 Oct.-Mar.Oct.-Mar.

ArgentinaArgentina 700700 27892789 44524452 8.88.8 Sept.-Jan.Sept.-Jan.

UruguayUruguay ---- ---- 556556 0.60.6 Sept.-Jan.Sept.-Jan.

PeruPeru ---- ---- 1616 0.010.01 Aug.-Oct.Aug.-Oct.

BrazilBrazil ---- ---- 8181 0.020.02 Sept.-Jan.Sept.-Jan.

ColumbiaColumbia ---- ---- 44 0.0020.002 April-JulyApril-July

TotalTotal 28082808 72897289 15,99815,998 44.4344.43

Source: Cort Brazelton, Brazelton Ag Consulting and U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, 2008Source: Cort Brazelton, Brazelton Ag Consulting and U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, 2008

Blueberries in California Blueberries in California

Southern coastal Southern coastal region – evergreen region – evergreen production, difficult production, difficult to cycle plants into to cycle plants into our production our production window window

Southern interior Southern interior region – very high region – very high yields, slightly later yields, slightly later than Florida than Florida

Blueberries in Mexico Blueberries in Mexico

Evergreen Evergreen production production

Most cultivars Most cultivars tend to ripen tend to ripen some fruit in fall. some fruit in fall.

May be difficult to May be difficult to cycle plants into cycle plants into Florida’s Florida’s production production window. window.

How does Florida stay How does Florida stay competitive? competitive?

Market development Market development Maintain a distinction based on qualityMaintain a distinction based on quality Increase World-wide consumptionIncrease World-wide consumption

Production efficiency Production efficiency Increase yields and reduce inputs Increase yields and reduce inputs Increase plant survival and longevity of Increase plant survival and longevity of

plantings plantings Mechanize harvest ? Mechanize harvest ?

Blueberry Economics 101

Blueberry Establishment Blueberry Establishment CostsCosts

Ronald P. MuraroRonald P. Muraro

UF/IFAS CRECUF/IFAS CRECrpm@crec.ifas.ufl.edu

Jeffrey G. WilliamsonJeffrey G. Williamson

UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences DepartmentUF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Departmentjgrw@ufl.edu

Estimated Solid-Set and Drip Irrigation System Estimated Solid-Set and Drip Irrigation System for Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in for Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in

Florida, 2009Florida, 2009$/Acrea

Well 12” 1,000

Pump and Motor 1,450

Pipe and Fittings 1,250

Solid-Set Sprinkler System 2,000

Drip-Fertigation System 1,500

Miscellaneous 150

Installation 300

TOTAL IRRIGATION INVESTMENT 7,650a Based on 20 acres.

Year #1: Estimated Establishment and Maintenance Year #1: Estimated Establishment and Maintenance CostCost

for Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in Florida, for Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in Florida, 20092009

LAND PREP $/Acre

Stumping, Pushing, Burning, Rotovate-Harrowing and Choppinga 2,000

Preplant Weed Control (2 qts Glyphosate XTRA plus Application)

20

Triple Super Phosphate (150 lbs) 56

Bedding 65

Breaking Aisles 43

Ditching and Drainage 115

Milled Pine Bark (350 cu yds @ $11/cu yd) 3,850

Total Land Prep 6,149

Planting (2.5’ x 10’ – 1,740 plants per acre) 5,174a Range from $300/acre for improved pasture to $1,200/acre for light wooded area to $2,000/acre for heavy pines.

Site preparation

Site preparation

Site preparation

Year #1: Estimated Establishment and Year #1: Estimated Establishment and Maintenance Cost for Southern Highbush Maintenance Cost for Southern Highbush

Blueberry Plants in Florida, 2009Blueberry Plants in Florida, 2009Production Cultural Operating Costs $/Acre

Fertilizer (control release fertilizer 13-5-9) 406

Weed Control 122

Pest and Disease Control (insecticides and fungicides) 415

Other Direct Costs (pruning, irrigation, operating interest) 1,316

Total Operating Costs 2,259

Fixed Costs (Equipment & Irrigation Depreciation, Overhead & Management)

3,379

Total Operating and Fixed Costs 5,638

Year #1: Total Estimated Establishment and Year #1: Total Estimated Establishment and MaintenanceMaintenance Cost for Southern Highbush Blueberry Cost for Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants inPlants in Florida, 2009 Florida, 2009 $/Acre

Land Preparation 6,149

Planting (2.5’ x 10’ – 1,740 plants per acre) 5,174

Production Cultural Operating Costs 2,259

Fixed Costs 3,379

Total Establishment and Maintenance Costs 16,961

Summary of Estimated Establishment for Summary of Estimated Establishment for Producing Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants Producing Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants

in Florida, 2009in Florida, 2009Investment Costs $/Acre $/Acre

Machinery Costs (Tractors, sprayers, mowers, trucks, etc.) 1,974

Irrigation Costs 7,650

Total Investment Costs 9,624

Establishment Costs

Establishment & Maintenance Costs 16,961

Total Investment and Establishment Costsa 26,585a Does not include a value for land.

Cumulative Cash Flow and Breakeven Year for Cumulative Cash Flow and Breakeven Year for Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in Florida, Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in Florida,

20092009Cumulative Cash Flow

Total Investment and Establishment Costs

$/Acre $/Acre

Year #1 (26,585) (26,585)

Net Revenuea

Year #2 3,751 (22,834)

Year #3 9,531 (13,303)

Year #4 16,117 2,814a Flats marketed (3.7 lbs): Year #2 = 665 @ $18/flat; Year #3 = 1,330 @ $17/flat; Year #4 = 2,330 @ $16/flat.

Blueberry Cultivars Blueberry Cultivars

The University of The University of Florida’s blueberry Florida’s blueberry breeding program is breeding program is over 50 years old.over 50 years old.

Virtually all of the Virtually all of the cultivars grown cultivars grown commercially in commercially in Florida were released Florida were released by Dr. Paul Lyrene by Dr. Paul Lyrene during the past 15 during the past 15 years. years.

Cultivar improvement Cultivar improvement

Early southern highbush cultivars Early southern highbush cultivars Poor commercial quality and/or poor Poor commercial quality and/or poor

field survival field survival Current cultivars Current cultivars

Higher yielding Higher yielding Improved berry size and quality Improved berry size and quality Earlier ripening Earlier ripening Improved disease resistance Improved disease resistance

Cultivars grown in FloridaCultivars grown in Florida

Primary cultivars - Emerald, Jewel, and Primary cultivars - Emerald, Jewel, and Star (N. Florida only). Star (N. Florida only).

Secondary cultivars - Windsor, Secondary cultivars - Windsor, Primadonna, Springhigh, Snowchaser. Primadonna, Springhigh, Snowchaser.

New cultivars - Sweetcrisp, Scintilla, New cultivars - Sweetcrisp, Scintilla, Farthing. Farthing.

Obsolete cultivars – Sharpblue, Misty, Obsolete cultivars – Sharpblue, Misty, Gulfcoast, Springwide, Sebring. Gulfcoast, Springwide, Sebring.

S. Florida – Emerald, Jewel, Primadonna, S. Florida – Emerald, Jewel, Primadonna, Snowchaser, Scintilla? Snowchaser, Scintilla?

EmeraldEmerald

Released 2000.Released 2000. Early flowering. Early flowering. First harvest is a few First harvest is a few

days before days before Sharpblue. Sharpblue.

Normal season in Normal season in Gainesville: April 20 – Gainesville: April 20 – May 20. May 20.

High yielding High yielding potential. potential.

Emerald in California Emerald in California

Emerald in California Emerald in California

JewelJewel

Released 1999. Released 1999. Ripening begins about 7 Ripening begins about 7

days before Sharpblue. days before Sharpblue. Harvest season: April 20 – Harvest season: April 20 –

May 20. May 20. Leafs well. Leafs well. Fruit quality is excellent Fruit quality is excellent

but berries remain tart but berries remain tart until fully ripe. until fully ripe.

High yield potential. High yield potential. Very susceptible to rust Very susceptible to rust

leaf spot. leaf spot.

Primadonna Primadonna

Vigorous, upright growth.Vigorous, upright growth. Requires excellent soils. Requires excellent soils. Tends to be more Tends to be more

evergreen than Star or evergreen than Star or Jewel. Jewel.

Early ripening. Early ripening. Excellent berry quality. Excellent berry quality. Concentrated harvest.Concentrated harvest. Sets a heavy crop but leafs Sets a heavy crop but leafs

poorly and is susceptible to poorly and is susceptible to Dormex injury. Dormex injury.

Winter pruning may be Winter pruning may be required. required.

Primadonna Primadonna

Scintilla Scintilla

Ripens 10 days before Ripens 10 days before Star. Star.

Attractive, firm, berry.Attractive, firm, berry. Open fruit clusters. Open fruit clusters. Mechanical harvest Mechanical harvest

potential? potential? Low yield – early Low yield – early

bloom? Dormex injury? bloom? Dormex injury? Seems to evergreen Seems to evergreen

well. well.

Scintilla Scintilla

Snowchaser Snowchaser Very low chilling req. Very low chilling req. Exceptionally early ripening. Exceptionally early ripening. Early flowering (fall). Early flowering (fall). Good evergreen tendency. Good evergreen tendency. Berry size slightly smaller Berry size slightly smaller

than average. than average. Good scar, firmness and Good scar, firmness and

flavor. flavor. Slow to attain fall dormancy. Slow to attain fall dormancy. Higher than average Higher than average

susceptibility to stem blight susceptibility to stem blight (damage from freeze (damage from freeze injury?). injury?).

Fall bearing? Fall bearing?

Snowchaser Snowchaser

Florida Cultivar Availability Florida Cultivar Availability

Florida Foundation Seed Producers Florida Foundation Seed Producers WWW.FFSP.net WWW.FFSP.net

John Beuttenmuller John Beuttenmuller beutt@ufl.edu. .

Water Quality

Most deep wells in Florida have high Ca and Mg carbonates.

Growers often inject acids into irrigation to maintain the soil pH in a range between 4.0 and 5.5.

In areas with high salinity, special considerations must be given: Long-term effects of high salinity in blueberry are unknown 400 to 550 ppm TDS is OK 1500 ppm TDS has caused damage in blueberry Irrigate often to avoid drought stress Fertilize often at low rates (avoid sodium and chloride ions) Irrigation should be sufficient to move salts below the root

zone Avoid wetting foliage

Blueberry pests and Blueberry pests and diseases diseases

DiseasesDiseases Stem blightStem blight Root rot Root rot Algal stem canker Algal stem canker Blossom blight Blossom blight Leaf spot diseasesLeaf spot diseases

PestsPests Birds (cedar wax wings) Birds (cedar wax wings) Blueberry gall midge Blueberry gall midge Thrips Thrips

Blueberry stem blight Blueberry stem blight

Severe dieback up top

Roots look fairly healthy

stem blight

Section of a stem of a plant that died from stem blight shows pecan colored discoloration

Discoloration under the bark at the crown of plants with dieback.

stem blight

Poor soil drainage = Poor soil drainage = Phytophthora root rot. Phytophthora root rot.

This is a low spot in the field, and water was standing in the grass when the picture was taken.

root rot

Phil Harmon, University of Florida

Phytophthora Root Rot Phytophthora Root Rot Phytophthora root Phytophthora root

rot is a major rot is a major cause of blueberry cause of blueberry plant death.plant death.

The best control is The best control is well drained soils well drained soils were blueberries were blueberries are grown. are grown.

Inoculations reproduce the symptoms observed in the field.

healthy

inoculated

root rot

Above ground symptoms may include reddening of leaves.

Brown mushy roots and crown suggest Phytophthora cinnamomi is causing root rot

algal stem cankerCephaleuros virescens

algal stem cankerCephaleuros virescens

algal stem canker

Cephaleuros virescens

blossom blight

gray mold

RustRust

Septoria leaf spotSeptoria leaf spot

Phyllosticta leaf spot

Gloeosporium leaf spot aka anthracnose

Phyllosticta leaf spot

Gloeosporium leaf spot aka anthracnose

Flower bud development on Flower bud development on Misty defoliated in September Misty defoliated in September

(left) and December (right)(left) and December (right)

Before planting

Newly planted blueberry field in Polk County, FL

Pine Bark CulturePine Bark Culture

A new blueberry field being A new blueberry field being prepared for planting in Floridaprepared for planting in Florida

Raised beds and ditches to Raised beds and ditches to correct soil drainagecorrect soil drainage

Very few roots were located in Very few roots were located in the underlying soilthe underlying soil

Root system was easily Root system was easily separated from underlying soilseparated from underlying soil

Excavated Blueberry PlantExcavated Blueberry Plant

Plants established in spring, 2006.

Pine bark bed, Dec. 2007

Bark incorporated, Dec., 2007

Plant canopy volume

Berry yield per plant

Pine bark bed - 2008

Incorporated -2008

Preliminary conclusions and Preliminary conclusions and observationsobservations

Plant growth after 3 years was not Plant growth after 3 years was not different among all pine bark different among all pine bark treatments.treatments.

Lateral movement of water from micro-Lateral movement of water from micro-sprinklers was limited in pine bark beds. sprinklers was limited in pine bark beds.

Higher irrigation rates were needed on Higher irrigation rates were needed on pine bark beds than in the bark pine bark beds than in the bark incorporated treatments to thoroughly incorporated treatments to thoroughly wet the root zones. wet the root zones.

Bark incorporated + ground cloth

Blueberry irrigationBlueberry irrigation

Low-volume and overhead dual Low-volume and overhead dual irrigation system irrigation system

Blueberry irrigationBlueberry irrigation Root zone coverage Root zone coverage

is critical in pine is critical in pine bark culture where bark culture where lateral water lateral water movement is movement is limited. limited.

Winter/spring freezes are the greatest threat to consistent

production from year to year. Overhead irrigation is

a requirement. Thorough coverage Continuous application Adequate application

rates Minimum temperature Crop development Wind speed Water vapor content of

air

How much is enough?

Benefits of Dormex (hydrogen cyanamide) for Florida

blueberries

Earlier fruit harvest (7 to 10+ days) Slight increase in fruit size Slight increase in yield Reduced plant stress from poor leafing

and over cropping

Dormex advances vegetative bud break

Dormex

Greater leaf surface area earlier during fruit development results in earlier berry ripening and larger average berry size.

Dormex advances berry harvest

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Potential disadvantages

Cultivar-specific response. Plant injury (burn) from improper rate,

timing, or unusual environmental conditions.

Dormex injury can reduce plant yields.

Erratic response in central and south-central Florida.

Conclusions Conclusions

Florida’s blueberry industry continues to expand. Florida’s blueberry industry continues to expand. Fruit are grown exclusively for the early-season fresh Fruit are grown exclusively for the early-season fresh

market (April – May). market (April – May). Early harvest during the lucrative early market window Early harvest during the lucrative early market window

is critical for profitability. Berry prices drop quickly in is critical for profitability. Berry prices drop quickly in late May. late May.

Many inputs are needed to grow blueberries in Florida. Many inputs are needed to grow blueberries in Florida. Establishment and production costs are high. Establishment and production costs are high. As of 2009, prices remained strong. As of 2009, prices remained strong. The 2010 season was late. Large volumes of fruit came The 2010 season was late. Large volumes of fruit came

in quickly. Prices were significantly below historic in quickly. Prices were significantly below historic levels. levels.

Many of the early challenges have been overcome; its Many of the early challenges have been overcome; its now a matter of efficiency and profitability. now a matter of efficiency and profitability.

Sources of Information Sources of Information

www.floridablueberrygrowers.com http://www.hos.ufl.edu/jgwweb/willia

mson.htm

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_blueberry

http://www.smallfruits.org

Thank You!

Questions?