California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Blueberry Exports

  • Introducing Ag & Blueberry Trade 101 – A Four-Part Educational Series

    NABC and the USHBC, in partnership with the Ag Trade Education Council, invite you to join the Trade 101 webinar series – a four-part series designed to deepen your understanding of U.S. trade policy and its impact on agriculture, particularly the blueberry industry.

    Each one-hour workshop will advance your knowledge on trade policy history, recent trade developments, and blueberry imports and exports.

    4 Sessions Provide Practical Insights

    Part 1 (Sept. 29): Explore why trade matters to U.S. agriculture and trace the history of trade law and policy from the nation’s founding through 2015.

    Part 2 (Oct. 14): Examine key developments in U.S. trade during the different administrations, with a focus on policy shifts and priorities.

    Part 3 (Nov. 13): Review the latest trade developments of 2025, including tariffs, trade agreements and legal challenges to presidential authority.

    Part 4 (Dec. 9): Take a deep dive into how global trade has changed the U.S. blueberry industry, looking at the history, legal challenges and current landscape of blueberry imports and exports.

    You’ll walk away with a broad understanding of U.S. trade policy over time and practical insights into how trade directly affects the blueberry industry.

    Don’t miss this first-ever series! Register today.

    LEARN MORE & REGISTER

  • U.S. Blueberries ‘Go Big’ on Domestic & Global Marketing, California Hit a Sweet Spot This Year

    According to Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, California blueberry growers hit a sweet spot on the market this year and had a successful harvest season. Meanwhile, the two councils “Go Big” on their latest marketing efforts, determined to position blueberries as the world’s favorite fruit. Watch Cronquist’s brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and learn more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • South Africa Market Now Open for U.S. Fresh Blueberries

    South Africa has officially approved market access for fresh blueberries from all U.S. states.

    Market Access Letter
    Operational Work Plan – West Coast
    Operational Work Plan – East Coast

    All facilities intending to ship to South Africa must register. This market will be added to the comprehensive facility registration form that the USHBC publishes every September for the following season. Exporters should watch for an email next month with facility registration details.

    If you’re interested in shipping during the 2025 season, please contact North American Blueberry Council/US Highbush Blueberry Council (NABC/USHBC) Director of Government Affairs Alyssa Houtby as soon as possible.

    After years of stalled progress, we thank the Trump administration for prioritizing this request and opening the South Africa market for U.S. fresh blueberries. We’re grateful to the dedicated team at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for their collaboration and for securing a science-based and practical work plan for blueberry growers and packers.

    Although South Africa’s blueberry market has evolved significantly since the original access request, NABC and USHBC remain optimistic about the opportunities this market presents. We believe strongly in the importance of open, science-based trade, and will continue working to expand and strengthen global market access for U.S. blueberry growers.

    To learn more about NABC’s market access efforts, contact Director of Government Affairs Alyssa Houtby. For information on USHBC’s market development programs, contact Director of Global Business Development Haiying Zhang. 

    History of the Request for Access

    This milestone was made possible through nearly a decade of collaboration among NABC, USHBC, the California Blueberry Commission, Oregon Blueberry Commission and Washington Blueberry Commission. We also thank Rufus Isaacs, Ph.D., of Michigan State University for his technical guidance on the operational work plan, and our partners at Bryant Christie Inc., whose support was instrumental in advancing this request.

  • Tapping into Growing Market Opportunities for U.S. Blueberries

    According to Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the global market potential for U.S. blueberries has been largely untapped, considering the tremendous growth opportunities he sees for the industry. The U.S. may reach a new record this year in blueberry production, and the increased supply is poised to meet the growing global demand for this nutrient-dense product. Watch Cronquist’s brief interview with Matthew Malcolm at California Ag Network and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.

  • California Blueberry Growers Anticipate and Welcome Largest Crop Ever

    As blueberry harvest begins in California, watch this brief video of California Fruit & Vegetable Editor Matthew Malcolm interviewing Todd Sanders from the California Blueberry Commission, who anticipates California’s largest harvest of blueberries ever this season.