A late January/early February freeze wiped out two-thirds to three-quarters of Florida's blueberry crop this season. Initial damage estimates from February were considered severe, but the actual losses have continued to grow beyond what anyone expected at the time.
Florida is a critical early-season blueberry supplier for the U.S. market, bridging the gap before domestic production picks up in other states. A loss of this magnitude means buyers who relied on Florida volume are scrambling to source from elsewhere — Georgia, the Carolinas, or imported supplies.
Expect tighter supply and elevated pricing in the near-term blueberry market. Anyone buying fresh blueberries through early summer should be actively revisiting sourcing plans and communicating availability realities up the retail chain.