Blueberry Season In New Brunswick

New Brunswick is known for its wild blueberries, which are smaller than cultivated highbush blueberries and have an intense colour. The blueberry season in New Brunswick is in July and August. Each year, the province celebrates the arrival of fresh wild blueberries with a special event, partnering with restaurants and B&Bs across the province to serve incredible dishes, desserts, and drinks featuring wild blueberries as the star ingredient.

Blueberry season in New Brunswick is in July and August

New Brunswick is known for its wild blueberries, and the industry plays a significant role in the provincial economy. The wild blueberry industry contributed over $81 million to the provincial GDP in 2021, with Northeastern New Brunswick alone accounting for over $35 million of that amount. The wild blueberry industry in this region has seen impressive growth, with a 200% increase in its contribution to the provincial GDP since 2017.

The blueberry fields in New Brunswick are a sight to behold, with 69% of all wild blueberry acres found in Northeast NB. The town of Oxford, Nova Scotia, is even known as the Wild Blueberry Capital of Canada! The blueberry fields are not just beautiful but also contribute to the local economy by boosting tourism. Truman Blueberry Farms, for example, attracted over 100,000 tourists to the rural community of Aulac in a single season.

During blueberry season, New Brunswick celebrates the arrival of fresh wild blueberries with special events and festivals. One notable event is the NB Wild Blueberry Week, which usually takes place in late August. During this week, more than 100 restaurants and B&Bs across the province serve incredible dishes, desserts, and drinks featuring wild blueberries as the star ingredient. It's a great time to explore New Brunswick and enjoy the delicious taste of wild blueberries!

New Brunswick's blueberry industry contributed $81 million to the provincial GDP in 2021

New Brunswick's blueberry industry is a major contributor to the province's economy, and in 2021, it injected $81 million into the provincial GDP. This figure underscores the importance of the blueberry industry to New Brunswick and highlights its role as a key economic driver in the region.

The blueberry industry's impact extends beyond its direct financial contribution. For every $1 created through primary production, an additional $0.78 is generated through value-added processing revenue. This means that the industry's overall economic impact is even higher than the $81 million figure suggests. Furthermore, 43% of all revenue generated by wild blueberries comes from value-added products, demonstrating the importance of diversifying the blueberry industry beyond just fresh produce.

The northeastern region of New Brunswick is particularly renowned for its wild blueberry production, with 69% of all wild blueberry acres in the province located in this area. The industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a 200% increase in its contributions to the provincial GDP since 2017. This growth has had a positive impact on the local community, with a notable decrease in low-income levels in Gloucester County between 2015 and 2021, coinciding with the expansion of the blueberry industry.

Looking ahead, the blueberry industry in New Brunswick has ambitious expansion plans. By 2033, the industry is projected to generate $72.9 million in revenue and contribute over $1.2 billion to the provincial GDP. This growth is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in the province, further emphasising the industry's crucial role in New Brunswick's economy and social fabric.

In addition to its economic impact, the blueberry industry also boosts tourism in the region. Truman Blueberry Farms, for example, attracted over 100,000 tourists to the rural community of Aulac in a single season. This demonstrates the potential for the blueberry industry to not only drive economic growth but also to enhance the province's appeal as a tourist destination.

Wild blueberries are native to North America

In North America, the Vaccinium species represent a similar diversity, with species adapted to warmer climates in southern Mexico, and northern species distributed throughout Canada and Alaska. The southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is native to eastern and southern US (Zones 5-8), as well as eastern Canada. It is the most common cultivated species of blueberry in North America.

Blueberries were an important source of food for Native Americans for thousands of years. They were eaten fresh when in season and dried and stored for the winter. They were also incorporated into a variety of basic stews and other food combinations. In addition, Native Americans used Vaccinium species for medicinal purposes, including the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits in various preparations.

The first highbush blueberry bush was successfully cultivated for commercial production in the early 1900s. Today, nearly 1 billion pounds of blueberries are grown in North America each year.

Blueberry bushes require pruning or burning every two years

Pruning involves removing as much of the above-ground portion of the plant as possible. This can be done by free-burning, mowing, or burning with straw, fuel oil, or liquid propane gas. Free-burning is the cheapest method but is hard to control and may not burn the entire field. Burning with straw is best for fields that are too steep or rocky for other methods. Burning with fuel oil or liquid propane gas can be dangerous and is affected by weather conditions. Pruning with mowers is a newer method that is less expensive and increases the organic matter on the soil surface but requires fields to not be too rocky or uneven.

Regardless of the method chosen, it is important to cut stems as close to the ground as possible. This encourages stems to emerge from the rhizome in the spring, which are more vigorous and productive than stems arising from old stems.

New Brunswick's wild blueberry industry has grown by 200% since 2017

New Brunswick's wild blueberry industry has seen impressive growth in recent years, with a 200% increase in its contributions to the provincial GDP since 2017. This growth has had a significant positive impact on the economy and community of the region.

The wild blueberry industry in New Brunswick has a long history, dating back to the Native Americans who were the first to enjoy these berries. However, the modern blueberry industry in the region began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Today, New Brunswick's wild blueberry industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy, with a total contribution of $81 million to the GDP in 2021. The industry has also created over 10,000 jobs in the province.

The growth of the wild blueberry industry in Northeastern New Brunswick has been particularly notable, with a 200% increase in its contributions to the provincial GDP since 2017. This region accounts for 69% of all wild blueberry acres in the province, and this number is expected to increase to 77% by 2033 with continued land development. The economic impact of the industry in this region is significant, contributing over $35 million to the provincial GDP.

The success of the wild blueberry industry in New Brunswick can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the use of cutting-edge technology and best management practices. Additionally, the majority of New Brunswick wild blueberries are sold to processors who clean, sort, and grade the berries for freezing, ensuring a high-quality product. The berries are also used in a variety of innovative products, such as wines, beers, liqueurs, and dessert sauces, which has likely contributed to their popularity and increased demand.

The growth of the wild blueberry industry has had a positive social impact on the region as well. For example, there was a 41.9% decrease in the number of people in Gloucester County who were in low-income levels from 2015 to 2021, coinciding with the growth in GDP and labour income for wild blueberry producers. Wild blueberries have also boosted tourism to the region, with Truman Blueberry Farms attracting over 100,000 tourists to the rural community of Aulac in a single season.

Looking forward, the wild blueberry industry in New Brunswick has a bright future. With planned expansions, the industry is projected to generate $72.9 million in revenue and contribute $1.2 billion to the provincial GDP by 2033. This growth will not only benefit the economy but also create more jobs and continue to positively impact the community in Northeastern New Brunswick.

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