The changing landscape of U.S. strawberry and blueberry markets

Abstract

Fruits are vital to consumer diets and are an important part of the U.S. agricultural industry. Two berries--strawberries and blueberries--are among the most important fruits. With more than $2 billion in annual farm gate sales and accounting for a 13-percent share of total production value of fruit, strawberries rank third for all fruit produced in the United States. Blueberries account for 5 percent of total fruit production value. This report examined changes in domestic production, consumption, prices, and trade for strawberries and blueberries over two decades. This study helps understand how the major berry markets evolved in a short time and examined opportunities and challenges these markets face.--