Maine wild blueberry growers saw an increase in value of the 2018 wild blueberry crop, according to King Whetstone, director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northeastern Region.
Total production dropped to 50.4 million pounds, down 26 percent from 2017 production.
The price growers received for processing berries in 2018 averaged $0.46 per pound, up $0.21 from 2017.
Value of production of 2018 wild blueberries is $23.155 million, up 32 percent from the previous year.
Maine is the largest producer of wild blueberries in the United States.
Wild blueberries from Maine are smaller, sweeter, and firmer than cultivated varieties. They have a purplish hue rather than the familiar blue color of cultivated blueberries.
Wild blueberries are prepared into jams, cobblers, pies, and other dishes. They are also used to flavor syrups or ice cream.
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