Blueberry Market Update 16.04.26

Supply Outlook – Remains Tight

Supply conditions for Canadian wild blueberries are expected to stay constrained in 2026. Production is projected to remain below the long‑term average, while available buffer inventories are limited.

Ongoing supply tightness is a direct result of the extreme weather experienced in 2025:

• Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick):
  Severe drought conditions led to a significant reduction in yields, with harvest volumes estimated at 55–70% below the three‑year average. Nova Scotia was one of the most severely affected regions.
• Quebec:
  Reduced winter snow cover, combined with weak pollination in spring 2025, has negatively affected crop development. Early forecasts for 2026 suggest production will be lower than last year, although losses are expected to be less pronounced than in the Maritimes.
• Inventories:
  Frozen stock levels are declining, increasing pressure on forward purchasing and long‑term supply planning for processors and buyers.

Price Development – Firm to Increasing

Limited availability in Eastern Canada continues to support pricing, despite weaker pricing dynamics in global highbush blueberry markets.
According to growers and processors, prices are expected to remain firm into the 2026/27 contracting season, assuming there is no clear recovery in production volumes.

Market Update – European Wild (Lowbush) Blueberries

Supply Outlook – Extremely Tight

The availability of European wild forest blueberries remains very limited following adverse weather conditions in 2025.

Lower yields are the result of several compounding factors, including irregular weather patterns (mild winters and unpredictable spring frosts), prolonged drought, increased pest and disease pressure, labour shortages, and rising production costs.

Price Development – Strongly Upward

Severe supply constraints across Europe are driving sharp price increases in the wild blueberry market.

Market Update – Cultivated Blueberries

Supply Outlook – Expanding but Volatile

Global production of cultivated blueberries continues to grow at an estimated rate of 4–6% per year. This growth is supported by:

• Expansion of acreage in Peru, Morocco, Mexico, and China
• Improved yields per hectare due to new varieties and advanced cultivation methods (substrate systems and tunnel production)
• Year‑round supply enabled by production in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

However, weather‑related challenges such as excessive rainfall, heat stress, and frost are causing volatility in supply volumes and fluctuations in quality.

Price Development – Largely Stable

The increasing availability of cultivated blueberries is creating ongoing structural pressure on prices. At the same time, weather‑related risks and quality variability are making market conditions less predictable.
While shortages in other berry categories have supported slightly higher demand for cultivated blueberries, this has not resulted in a meaningful price increase.