Oregon Pre-Harvest Blueberry Update

There’s No Slowing Oregon Blues
For the past several years, Oregon blueberry yields have been off due to Mother Nature’s timing of inclement weather; however, Oregon blueberry growers still continue to set harvest records. Last year, Oregon growers harvested more than 35 million pounds of blueberries, placing Oregon among the top producers in the United States. If favorable weather conditions continue this year, the 2007 harvest could easily result in harvest numbers that are off the charts.

In fact, the Oregon blueberry industry has experienced more than 100 percent growth in less than ten years, going from fewer than 20 million pounds of blueberries harvested in the late 1990s to 2007 projections that could push into the 40 million pound threshold.

Fresh Oregon blueberries are a hot commodity these days for a lot of reasons with incredible taste, the highest quality and peerless nutritional value being just a few.

Oregon growers routinely realize the highest crop yields per acre compared to any other state, an estimated 9,000 pounds per acre. Ranging from large operations that ship their crop to both national and international buyers to small family farms with less than ten acres offering on-farm sales, the 300 Oregon Blueberry growers know a good thing when they see it.

Oregon Blueberries – Taste Great and Good for the Body
While Oregon blueberries may have advantages when it comes to taste and quality, it’s the international interest in nutrition and healthy eating that have fueled the growth.

“In general, blueberries are the richest sources of antioxidant phytonutrients of the fresh fruits and vegetables that we’ve studied,” says Dr. Ronald Prior of Tufts University.

Antioxidants refer to the negative oxidation properties or compounds found in blueberries. Certain natural fruits and vegetables supply the body with chemicals which react against particularly harmful oxidants associated with elements (“free radicals”) which can damage a wide variety of functions and internal processes, including genetic DNA reproductive cells and receptor sites in the brain.

More on Health – Five-a-Day The Color Way
Just one-half cup of blueberries helps you on your way to meeting the USDA’s recommended goal of five to nine servings a day of fruits and vegetables. The Five-a-Day The Color Way program suggests that to achieve optimal health benefits, we should choose colorful fruits and vegetables daily from each of the five color groups. Blueberries are a proud member of the Blue/Purple group.

When it comes to taste and nutrition, Oregon blueberries are the true blue. Their sweet, fruity flavor has been enjoyed for years and now thanks to research going on in labs across the U.S. and Canada, there’s big news about the blues. These tasty little berries are, in fact, powerful disease fighters.

Research shows that blueberries contain natural compounds that help our bodies stay healthy and may help prevent age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration and some forms of cancer. With only 40 fat-free calories per half-cup, blueberries are also a great source of fiber and vitamin C. A serving of blueberries is a quick way to help meet the USDA’s recommendation of colorful fruits every day.
Give Us a Call for More Information

If you’re interested in additional information on the Oregon blueberry industry, harvest, marketing or blueberry nutrition, just give us a call. The more you know about the benefits of Oregon blueberries, the better you’ll like them.
Oregon Blueberries … it’s a great story.

Bryan Ostlund
Oregon Blueberry Commission
P.O. Box 3366, Salem, Oregon 97302
503.364.2944 • e-mail: bryan@ostlund.com