Blueberry News 2011  <2010 News>

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August 2011

8/11/2011 - USHBC Continuation Referendum passes by wide margin.  

USHBC has received the following very positive news from the USDA.  The USHBC program has been given very strong endorsement by the industry and has been approved for another five years.  A total of 88% of voters voted in favor of continuation (up from 87% in 2006 and 67% in the initial referendum in 2000) and these voters represented 98% of the volume voted (up from 94% in 2006 and 73% in 2000).  A link to the USDA press release announcing our referendum can be viewed at the following off site address: (view)

 

June 2011

6/6/2011 - Korean Access for fresh Oregon Blueberries looks promising.  For the past decade, the Oregon Blueberry growers have been working to gain access to the South Korean Market.  A recent article in the Packer newspaper reported that things are moving along, and there is a possibility that the market will be open in mid July 2011.  Kudos go to Bryan Ostlund and the Oregon Blueberry Commission and the state's growers and packers who have worked long and hard on this quest!  Great luck on the final stretch!   Here is the latest: http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/Oregon-could-ship-blueberries-to-S-Korea-this-July-123261073.html

May 2011

5/31/2011 - Highbush Blueberries a hit in Mexico!
Fifteen years ago, we had to explain to consumers what a blueberry was -- now they know and want them," according to Tom Payne, food industry consultant to the USHBC.  The Council exhibited at the Alimentaria food trade show in Mexico City, May 31-June 2.  Frozen blueberries from the USA are utilized in popular food industry items including muffins, bars and pies.  Retail packed frozen blueberries are featured in major club stores throughout the country.  Mexican consumers are also getting a taste for fresh blueberries, according to Payne.  Blueberries are now produced in a few regions of Mexico (some by US companies with Mexican operations).  While initially intended for export, the Mexican product is now feeding a demand from local consumers for fresh blueberries during the season. Now Mexican grocery chains are featuring fresh blueberries year round!  Ole!

5/15/2011 - USHBC Continuation Referendum set for July 5-26, 2011.   

As required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all research and promotion programs are subject to a continuation referendum every five years.  The second continuation referendum for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is scheduled for the three week period from July 5 to July 26, 2011. All eligible blueberry growers and importers will be mailed a referendum ballot directly from the USDA. Those who have not received a ballot in the mail by July 5 are encouraged to contact the USDA or the USHBC office.  Continuance will be based on approval by a majority vote of growers and importers taking part in the mail ballot and by a majority of the volume voted.    Results from the last referendum in August of 2006 showed that 86.9 percent of those who voted favored continuation of the USHBC and those who voted in favor represented 93.9 percent of the volume of cultivated blueberries represented in the referendum.

April 2011

3/15/2011 - Highbush Blueberries a big hit in Korea.  
USHBC exhibited at the Food and Hotel Korea exhibition in Ilsan, South Korea April 26-29, 2011.  We experienced a huge continued interest in blueberries, especially for frozen blueberries which are sold on TV home shopping networks.  South Korea is now the leading market for our frozen blueberries and this should continue for years to come!

March 2011

February 2011

January 2011

1/15/2011 - Blueberry New Product Introductions Show Continued Strength in 201

North American food manufacturers continued to capitalize on the popularity of blueberries in 2010 -- with more than 1,400 new products launched.  According to Mintel data, this was the second most active year in history.  Active categories include beverages, bakery and pet foods including blueberries.  The new year also looks good for blueberries and more than 70 new blueberry containing products have been launched already this month!  <North America blueberry-containing new products>  6.43 mb