Overview

• Blueberry sales have increased nine per cent year-on-year as of late July, according to grocery analysts.
• Harvest volumes are projected to reach about 5,133 tonnes by the end of August, up from 4,187 tonnes last year.
• The season began around two weeks ahead of schedule thanks to the warmest and sunniest spring on record and an absence of rain.
• Growers are trialling new high-yield blueberry varieties to boost crop resilience and meet growing consumer demand.
• Hall Hunter and other producers aim to raise mechanised harvesting from 10% to 30% of their blueberries next year to address labour shortages.