By Clint Thompson
Florida’s blueberry production is ahead of schedule this year, says one industry expert.
“Things have been looking a little early. Of course, it’s variety specific, but things are looking a little early,” said Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “I saw a pretty heavy floral bud set on a lot of varieties in November and December. We’re starting to see some good bloom now. Of course, the heavier bloom I’m seeing is in South Florida.
“Just seeing bloom a little earlier on some things than I would typically see. It’s not a lot, but a little.”
While production is ahead of the normal timeframe that Florida growers have grown accustomed to, Phillips believes it will eventually balance out in the end.
“Even though bloom is a little early now, there are always patches that come and we’ve had a couple already that tend to slow things down a little bit,” Phillips said. “At this point, I expect it not to be too far off when we would typically see harvests.”
Florida blueberry harvests are about a month away from beginning this season. Phillips said harvests will start in the third or fourth week in February in South Florida and progresses from there up the state and eventually into Georgia. Phillips has a positive outlook on the season and has reason to be.
“We didn’t have a hurricane last fall, which was great. We haven’t had any big freeze events which is great,” Phillips said. “So far, so good.”