Weather extremes during the first half of the year have done significant damage to Georgia’s $50-million blueberry industry.
Officials with the University of Georgia Extension Service say two different types of blueberry grown in the state have suffered. The early-year high-bush blueberry harvest was ravaged by extended cold temperatures, wrecking up to 40-percent of the crop. Now, the rabbit-eye crop is suffering, with the heavy spring rainfall in southeast Georgia the culprit.
Danny Stanaland, area blueberry agent for the Extension Service, says the damage done is the worst he’s seen in 30 years:
He says Georgia is typically ranks third or fourth nationally in blueberry production.
Officials with the University of Georgia Extension Service say two different types of blueberry grown in the state have suffered. The early-year high-bush blueberry harvest was ravaged by extended cold temperatures, wrecking up to 40-percent of the crop. Now, the rabbit-eye crop is suffering, with the heavy spring rainfall in southeast Georgia the culprit.
Danny Stanaland, area blueberry agent for the Extension Service, says the damage done is the worst he’s seen in 30 years:
"Weather affects quality, and if you don’t have quality you don’t have price and one thing bounces off the other. It’s been a trying year so far."Stanaland says a better gauge on monetary damage won't be known until the current blueberry harvest wraps-up in another three to four weeks.
He says Georgia is typically ranks third or fourth nationally in blueberry production.
