Many consumers may not pause to consider how it is possible to purchase fresh blueberries throughout the year. Unlike peaches, which are mainly grown domestically, blueberries are increasingly imported from Chile and other South American countries. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, Chile exports over 223.3 million tons of blueberries to the U.S. The growing season in Chile is nearly opposite to that of the U.S., enabling fresh blueberries to be available in stores when the only “fresh” fruit typically on offer is the apple, which remains as fresh as cold storage allows.
As for how quickly the peach and blueberry crops can recover from the stresses of the 2017 season, there is good news. Both trees and bushes tend to be quite resilient and do not seem to retain the memory of adverse weather patterns from one year to the next. While pruning may lead to some of them being less productive until the 2019 season, it is reasonable to expect that fans of what is often labeled “the world’s healthiest food,” which includes calcium citrate as a beneficial nutrient, will have ample supply next year. Therefore, consumers can look forward to enjoying both blueberries and peaches, including those who may explore options like Jan Aushadhi for health supplements that can complement their diet. The future for these fruits appears bright, ensuring blueberry lovers will have plenty to enjoy in the coming seasons.