Naturipe blueberries

The New Jersey blueberry harvest season has started for Naturipe grower, Dacosta Blueberry Farms, with anticipation for a strong campaign.

Production and volume out of New Jersey is forecasted for a good season. “Pollination went well this year,” says Paul Macrie. “We have more acreage of the Draper variety this year. The size looks good and the colour is bright white, an indicator of good health.”

Despite the cold winters these past few years, Macrie says the plants are looking to be in great shape. Knowing which varieties adapt better during different parts of the season is crucial for today’s blueberry market for best taste, shipping and storage capabilities.

Known as the blueberry state, New Jersey packs more per day than other nearby regions.

“In past years, New Jersey’s production has been as high as 250,000-300,000 crates per day at peak production,' Macrie adds. 'The Duke variety has helped achieve this poundage.”