The 25 biggest producers of blueberries in the world are the primary players in a billion dollar industry. While blueberries may not quite enjoy the same level of sales and demand as the more popular fruit such as apples and bananas, the demand over the past few years has been steadily increasing. To cater to this, more countries have entered the blueberry production market. There was an increase in production of an astounding 12.6% in just one year! If you visit the 10 countries that produce the most blueberries in the world, which was written by yours truly over 4 years ago, you will notice that there are now 15 additional countries in this article.
There’s a reason blueberry demand is increasing. Not only is it extremely delicious and an integral part of many desserts, it provides a host of health benefits, such as providing antioxidants which help protect the body from various diseases, helps boost immunity which again protects us from a variety of ailments, even reduces the risk of heart disease and helps regulate our blood sugar, which is very helpful for those suffering from illnesses such as diabetes.
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Initially, due to the increase in demand, prices followed as well, which is why the prices were at their highest in 2015/16, reaching peaks of over $17/KG in the US.However, the increase in production actually outpaced the increased in demand, which has led to prices decreasing slightly again, which in October 2019 were at around $16/KG. It is interesting to note that due to the demand of blueberries being very seasonal, prices fluctuate widely over the course of the year. In 2019 alone, blueberry prices were just under $4/KG in January, when demand was quite low, showing a 300% increase within the year.
Among the countries to increase their blueberry production, Peru easily comes out on top. While it still has some way to go to catch Canada, Peru actually increased its production from 52,000 tonnes to nearly 95,000 tonnes in a year, a spectacular increase of 81% within a year. Other countries to show significant increases include Poland (+55%), Spain (+23%) and Netherlands (+15%).
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To determine the highest blueberry growers in the world, we relied on statistics provided by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Unfortunately, the latest data available at the site pertaining to blueberry production was for the year 2018. Thus, to compile our list, we ranked each country according to its production in 2018 and 2017. 70% of the total weightage was attributed to 2018 since this was the latest number we had, and more representative of a country’s standing. The remaining 30% was allocated to the country’s 2017 production. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the countries responsible for supplying the most important ingredient in a delicious blueberry cheesecake, starting with number 25:
25. Norway
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 2
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 3
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24. Denmark
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 40
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 40
Pixabay/Public Domain
23. Morocco
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 78
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 81
Pixabay/Public Domain
22. Sweden
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 80
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 70
Pixabay/Public Domain
21. Bulgaria
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 98
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 99
Pixabay/Public Domain
20. Lithuania
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 98
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 124
Pixabay/Public Domain
19. Switzerland
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 353
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 340
Pixabay/Public Domain
18. Latvia
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 457
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 353
Pixabay/Public Domain
17. Romania
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 684
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 339
Pixabay/Public Domain
16. Uzbekistan
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 662
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 663
Pixabay/Public Domain
15. Ukraine
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 1,180
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 1,360
Pixabay/Public Domain
14. Italy
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 1,675
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 1,671
Pixabay/Public Domain
13. New Zealand
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 3,030
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 2,985
Pixabay/Public Domain
12. Russia
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 3,300
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 2,700
Pixabay/Public Domain
11. Australia
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 5,138
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 4,757
Pixabay/Public Domain
10. France
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 9,127
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 8,496
Pixabay/Public Domain
9. Netherlands
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 10,257
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 8,935
Pixabay/Public Domain
8. Portugal
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 10,638
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 9,840
Pixabay/Public Domain
7. Germany
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 12,764
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 13,805
Pixabay/Public Domain
6. Poland
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 25,301
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 16,343
Pixabay/Public Domain
5. Mexico
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 40,251
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 36,700
Pixabay/Public Domain
4. Spain
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 43,516
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 35,355
Pixabay/Public Domain
3. Peru
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 94,805
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 52,301
Pixabay/Public Domain
2. Canada
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 164,205
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 173,641
Pixabay/Public Domain
1. United States of America
Blueberry production in 2018 (in tonnes): 255,050
Blueberry production in 2017 (in tonnes): 2325,206
While Chile may be the largest blueberry exporter in the world, the United States of America comfortably top the list of 25 biggest producers of blueberries in the world. Even though the US was comfortably top of the list in 2017 as well, it still registered an 8% increase year on year, thereby consolidating its position as the biggest blueberry producer globally. Second placed Canada on the other hand, actually saw a 5% decrease in production, and is in danger of losing its long held position of the second largest blueberry producer in the world.
Pixabay/Public Domain
