Food Institute Report - April 13, 2009 Wild blueberries are priced at $1.50 for 30 lb cartons, f.o.b. Maine

Food Institute Report - December 15, 2008 Wild blueberries are priced at $1.50 for 30 lb cartons, f.o.b. Maine

Food Institute Report - October 27, 2008 Wild blueberries are priced at $1.45 for 30 lb cartons, f.o.b. Maine.

Food Institute Report - July 14, 2008 Wild blueberries were $2.25- $2.30 f.o.b east coast.

Food Institute Report - March 24, 2008 Wild blueberries were priced between $2.25 - $2.30 fob east coast.

Food Institute Report - October 9, 2006 Wild Blueberry exports (from US) saw a decrease of 39% compared to last year at this time. Exports of wild blueberries totaled 6.2 million pounds as of Aug. 1. There was a 61% decrease of wild blueberry exports to Canada compared to this time in 2005. Wild berries are trading around $2.15, depending on availability.

Food Institute Report - October 2, 2006 As of Aug. 1, imports into the US of both wild and cultivated blueberries are down from last year at this time, due to a decrease in exports from Canada. The wild crop was affected by poor weather, including frost that came early to Quebec and the Maritimes. Wild berries are trading around $2.15, depending on availability

Food Institute Report - May 29, 2006

Trades began in the southern states, with stocks priced around $1.75 per pound, fob East Coast, compared to approximately $1.05 per pound, this time last year.

Very few trades are occurring, spot trades have been reported as high as $2.50 per pound, fob East Coast, compared to $1.10 to $1.40 this time last year. Exports (from US) of Wild Blueberries for 2005 totaled 17.9 million pounds, down 23% from 2004. Canada and Japan are the top importers. Shipments to Canada were down 17% from 2004 to 8.1 million pounds. Shipments to Japan, at 6.8 million pounds, decreased 19% over 2004.

Tight supplies, if any, are available. When available, prices are reported from $1.87- $1.95 per pound for IQF quality berries, fob West Coast.

Imports (to US) are up 21% as of Aug. 1 but high demand and limited stocks have driven the price up even further, up 53%. The majority is coming from Canada and China, which have both increased their exports to the US. Chinese imports, as of Aug. 1, are up to 121,000 pounds from 36,000 lbs this last year, despite no stocks being received in July. No carryover this year, which has kept supplies further down this year. Historically high prices, asking are around $1.80 per pound, fob the East Coast.

Wild supplies are short. Asking prices range from $1.65 to $1.75 per pound fob Maine, and some buyers are reporting having orders prorated this year. There is speculation that manufactureres will reformulate their products that use blueberries and promote other fruits in reponse to high prices

While the wild harvest is winding up, there really is no clear pricing picture. Asking prices seem to be $1.60 per pound and higher, but no selling prices have been reported. The Maine crop for processing was down from what processors expected earlier this season, but was up from last year's disastrous 45.7 million pounds. The major Canadian provinces all realized processing crops that were smaller than expected earlier in the season. Nova Scotia's crop is said to be down about 15% from last year, while Quebec is expected to be down 5% to 7% and New Brunswick is down 19%, according to industry sources.

The last time wild pricing was near the levels of today was in April of 1999, when asking prices approached $1.50 due to a frost damaged Quebec crop of just 5 million pounds in 1998, down from 31.3 million in 1997. However, that was eight months after the pack was completed.

Maine's 2005 wild blueberry crop is expected to total 70 million pounds, based on grower reported condition of the crop through mid-July, according to New England Agricultural Statistics Maine Wild Blueberries report. If realized, this forecast places expected production 52% above last year's output of 46 million pounds, but 13% below 2003 final production.

The average prices per pound for Maine wild blueberries sold for processing in 2004 was 45 cents, a 12 cent increase over a year earlier. The average fresh market price per pound for Maine wild blueberries was $1.35 in 2004, 15 cents higher than in 2003. The total value of Maine's 2004 wild blueberry crop (fresh and processed) was placed at $21 million, down 22% from the 2003 value, due to decreased production.

U.S Imports of wild blueberries through March 1 totaled 5.1 million pounds, a 50% increase from this time last year. Imports of cultivated blueberries totaled 1.4 million pounds, a 48% increase over 2004. Holdings in New England, mostly wild blueberries, decreased 37% to 8.8 million pounds.

Feb 28: Supplies of cultivated blueberries are extremely tight, despite the reported increase in cold storage holding, which includes available and purchased stocks. When available trades are in the $1.25 to $1.35 per pound range, fob NW

Feb 21: Through Dec. 1, 2004, US exports of wild blueberries for 2004 totaled 21.2 million pounds, up from 16.7 million pounds in 2003. Shipments to Canada were up 4% and to Japan up 13%. Shipments to China increased substantially from 250,022 pounds in 2003 to 2.7 million pounds in 2004.

Michigan cultivated straight pack in 30 lb cases trade between $1.15-$1.16 per pound, fob MI Cultivated IQF whole blueberries in 30 lb cases are between $1.12-$1.15 per pound, fob N.C.

Wild Blueberries - Wild and cultivated exports as of October 1 were 42% and 18% higher than the same point in 2003, respectively.

While overall cold storage holdings were 20% higher on November 1 than a year ago, a 29% decline in New England confirms good movement on wild varieties, and that packers are replacing cultivated with wild for sales. However, packers report lack of supply on all varieties. The rise in imports suggests that much of the remaining supply is market for export, rather than domestic customers. In addition, the cold storage figures include both sold and unsold product.

Wild Blueberries - The North American crop is expected to be about 55 million pounds below last year's crop, leading to extremely tight supplies and high prices. The 2003 processed total was 198.6 million pounds. Some packers are reporting they cannot fill orders. Pricing is reported at $1.15-$1.20/lb.

Wild Blueberries - Growers have concerns of Mummyberry disease in Maine fields due to prevailing cool, moist conditions.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports continued to be strong through April 1, at 6.1 million pounds, 10% higher than the same point in 2003. Shipments have been sent to six new countries, including China, which is the third highest export market of the year thus far.

Wild Blueberries - Several grower/packers are reporting winter damage in Maine due to a lack of snow cover. Official damage has not been assessed yet, but grower/packers are expecting a reduced crop. Quebec growers report a good snow cover experienced, and do not expect damage. The total wild crop is expected to be about 175-180 million pounds, down from about 200 million pounds last year.

Wild Blueberries - Total U.S. (Maine) processed production in 2003 was 79.8 million pounds, 29% higher than 2002.

Farmers received an average of $0.35 per processed pounds, 25% more than they received in 2002. The total value of the processed crop was $28.5 million, compared to $17.9 million pounds one year earlier.

Wild Blueberries - U.S. cold storage stocks as of November 1 totalled 86.0 million pounds, down 23% from this point last year. This is due to the tight supplies that far exceed demand, as just about all available product is exhausted. The small stocks have also led to the high prices. At $1.10 per pound, Wild blueberries are 30 cents higher than at this point last year. Cultivated, as high as $1.15 per pound, are 25 cents higher than this point last year.

Wild Blueberries - The market is in better shape than Cultivated. Supplies are more readily available, and sales are being conducted that would normally be Cultivated. Pricing is from $1.00-$1.10 per pound.

Wild Blueberries - FROZEN FRUITS - Blueberries Voted 'Best Fruit' - SELF magazine asked a panel of nutritional experts - including Dr. Andrew Weil, author of Eating Well for Optimum Health, Sharon Tyler Herbst, author of The Food Lover's Companion, and 34 members of the American Dietetic Association, to come up with a "dream team" of super foods that would give them "more energy for fewer calories - and a body built to last," reported the Wild Blueberry Association of North America.

Despite stiff competition from the likes of the kiwi, cranberry, orange and cantaloupe, blueberries were voted "best fruit" by the survey respondents.

While all blueberries have high antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory properties, new research shows that Wild blueberries are even higher in antioxidants than Cultivated varieties.

The article cited the blueberry's high level of anthocyanin, a potent antioxidant concentrated in the berry's blue pigments. The article also quoted Joanne Shearer, R.D., a dietician at Heart Hospital of South Dakota, who said blueberries also "contain phytonutrients like lutein and fiber, which reduce the risk of diabetes and circulatory problems."

The article also touted the high nutritional value of frozen blueberries, which according to the FDA are just as healthy as fresh, and may even hold their nutritional value longer.

Wild Blueberries - Pricing is on the rise. Some reports are as high as $1.00.

Wild Blueberries - The total North American crop is about 170-175 million pounds. All areas produced good volumes except for Quebec, which produced about 25-30 million pounds, down from 45 million pounds last year. Pricing is in the high 90's.

Wild Blueberries - Recent cold weather and wind in Quebec have reportedly damaged the crop. The weather, combined with a lack of snowcover has caused damage to 30%-40% of the crop, according to growers. The total crop is expected to be about 25% less than last season. Pricing is 85-90 cents per pound out of New England.

Wild Blueberries - Faced with an oversupply, Maine growers have instituted a marketing compaign to increase consumer demand by distinguishing wild berries from the larger cultivated variety. Wild blueberries are being featured everywhere from Martha Stewart's show and in an 18-page spread in her magazine, to Time Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. The campaign appears to be working, as annual retail sales of frozen wild blueberries have jumped from the $3 million range to $20 million during the past six years. At the same time, volume sales have increased from about one million pounds a year to 7 million a year, according to Maine Today.

Wild Blueberries - Pricing is about 84-88 cents per pound in New England.