Blueberry season has started, and with what looks like a sweet year ahead, Florida blueberry farmers are rejoicing.

  • Crop took hit last year due to warm winter, cool late spring
  • This year's crop coming in earlier
  • Late freeze in Georgia reducing competition this year

“That's a half dollar there," laughed Jim Owen pointing out a berry as he walked around his farm.

Owen, of Owen’s Blueberry Farm, will be opening his "U-Pick" a week earlier than last.

“We've got a lot of decent fruit this year," said Owen, who told us he's hoping for 2,000 more berries than the year before.

“I think they'll do pretty well, we got a good chilling hour this year, we got plenty of hours of cold under 58 degrees,” said Owen. “It helps the plant produce fruit and fruit buds."

Last year, Florida blueberry yields took a hit with a warm winter and cool late spring. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Jeff Williamson says this year’s crop is coming in a little earlier.

Williamson told us this year Florida experienced a cooler winter and a warmer spring compared to last year, increasing the yield.

There is also less competition. Georgia was hit by a late freeze losing a significant amount of its crops.

Dudley Calfee, President of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, said all those factors mean a longer supply of fresh blueberries for the consumer and a longer picking season for growers.
 
Owen’s Blueberry Farm opens to the public Saturday. Others are opening soon, as well.