A look at the Pacific Northwest blueberry harvests

California Giant Berry Farms shared an update on its Pacific Northwest blueberry season, detailing strong harvests. The company sees increased volumes of both conventional and organic-grown blueberries from this key region, with a strong focus on delivering exceptional quality as harvests continue.

Oregon is currently producing strong volumes of conventional and organic blueberries, with volumes forecasted to last through the end of September. Likewise, British Columbia is producing strong volumes of blueberries, with peak production slated to hit the first week of August and span most of the month. Washington will produce steady volumes through early September. This staggered start to the blueberry seasons in Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington ensures a seamless and ample supply of blueberries through early September, guaranteeing a strong and continuous flow throughout the summer months.

“We’re very pleased with the current blueberry season and the strong volumes from our Pacific Northwest growing regions,” says Tim Youmans, vice president of sales at California Giant Berry Farms. “Our focus remains on providing a year-round supply of the highest quality blueberries. The ongoing harvests allow us to maintain excellent availability for our retail and foodservice partners, and ultimately, for consumers.”

To ensure optimum quality, the company ships directly from its Pacific Northwest grower locations, Watsonville and Salinas distribution sites, as well as from its Santa Maria blueberry packing facility that features a state-of-the-art Unitec sorting line. This advanced technology meticulously sorts blueberries for color, firmness, size, and other quality indicators, ensuring that only the highest-quality berries are packaged into each clamshell. The Santa Maria pack house also serves as a central hub for California Giant’s growers and outside suppliers, offering co-packing assistance and reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting its industry partners.

This strong supply outlook comes at a time when jumbo blueberries are experiencing rapid growth within the berry category, reflecting evolving consumer preferences. Nielsen data shows double-digit growth in both dollar sales and pounds compared to the previous year, with jumbo blueberries also increasing their dollar share of the total blueberry category.

The company is well-positioned to meet this demand with its Giant™ Blueberries, boasting size and flavor. These premium berries are available in good volume through August.

The growing consumer appetite for blueberries is clear, with 54 percent of surveyed consumers reporting a purchase in the past 12 months. Recognizing there’s significant room for further growth as more households embrace this healthy fruit, California Giant is dedicated to supporting retailer and foodservice partners in expanding this penetration and offers customized retail support to help drive sales and consumer engagement. To further fuel consumption, the company uses Instacart marketing and robust consumer marketing campaigns, focusing on the craveability and versatile appeal of fresh berries.

07-22-2025
Source: Freshplaza.com