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 [email protected]
Jeffrey G. WilliamsonJeffrey G. Williamson
UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences DepartmentUF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences [email protected]
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 [email protected]. .
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?