British Columbia ends blueberry season on a high note

Nov. 8, 2012, British Columbia – The British Columbia Blueberry Council
says this year's fresh blueberry season was the region's best ever,
producing a crop estimated at 105 million pounds.

Nov. 8, 2012, British Columbia – The British Columbia Blueberry Council says this year's fresh blueberry season was the region's best ever, producing a crop estimated at 105 million pounds. This harvest makes British Columbia the world's largest highbush blueberry growing region.
 
"While the season was a little slow to start, the rain in June combined with the fantastic sunny weather from July through September resulted in a record year once again," said Debbie Etsell, executive director of the British Columbia Blueberry Council. "Our farmers were able to continue harvesting well into mid-October this year, maintaining high-quality berries through to the end of the season."
 
This year's harvest tops last year's record crop of 95 million pounds. The council says the increase can be attributed to both additional acreage of plantings maturing, as well as the favourable weather conditions. British Columbia boasts around 23,000 acres of premium blueberry plantings, with primary growing areas located in Abbotsford, Delta, Pitt Meadows, Richmond and Surrey.