Global blueberry production rises 11% and could continue to expand

Global blueberry production increased by 11.2% in 2025 compared with the previous year, reaching 2.33 mln tons. According to the International Blueberry Organization’s (IBO) Global Blueberry Report 2026, the total area planted with highbush blueberries worldwide reached 303 thsd hectares, of which nearly 258 thsd hectares were under commercial cultivation. Experts expect further industry expansion, potentially adding another 1 mln tons of production by 2030 or shortly thereafter.

According to Cort Brazelton, co-owner and board member of Fall Creek, who presented his assessment at Fruit Attraction 2026 in Madrid, global blueberry production could potentially exceed 3.3 mln tons in the coming years. The main driver of growth will remain young plantations established in previous years entering their productive phase. So far, production expansion has been driven primarily by an increase in productive acreage rather than higher yields.

Average global blueberry yields in 2025 stood at around 9 tons/ha, indicating significant potential for improving production efficiency. At the same time, growers are facing rising labor, water and input costs. Further production growth will depend on the adoption of higher-yielding varieties, improved cultivation technologies, greater harvesting efficiency and the development of logistics infrastructure.

One of the main challenges facing the global market is inconsistent fruit quality throughout the year. According to industry experts, during certain weeks in October and November, blueberries meeting higher quality standards account for 30–40% of total supply. However, during the Northern Hemisphere summer, this share can sometimes fall below 1%. Such seasonal fluctuations create additional difficulties for exporters and suppliers seeking to maintain consistent product quality.

Against the backdrop of expected global production growth, competition among blueberry-producing countries could intensify. According to Brazelton, competitive advantages will increasingly depend not on traditionally low production costs, but on yields, berry quality and operational efficiency. Logistics optimization, lower harvesting costs and the adoption of modern breeding technologies will also become increasingly important in helping producers remain competitive amid expanding global supply.

Tags: global market, blueberry