Southeast fruit and vegetable farmers have had a point all along. Imports of fruits and vegetables, which have long been the source of producers’ ire in recent years, have significantly impacted the domestic industry. Produce coming in from countries like Mexico, Chile and Peru have driven down prices and put producers’ futures at risk. It was the source of the …
Harvesting Issues: Blueberry Harvesters Remain Challenge for Industry
Two issues facing University of Florida (UF)/IFAS scientists regarding the future of blueberry production are machine harvesters and blueberry flavor. Patricio Munoz, UF blueberry breeder, spoke about both issues during the recent American Seed Trade Association webinar last week. “The major issue that I see for us is the machines that we are using nowadays, they are not to the …
Victorious Verdict: Blueberry Coalition Applauds ITC Decision
While blueberry farmers and industry leaders were disappointed and disheartened with Thursday’s vote by the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Blueberry Coalition for Progress and Health responded with applause for the ITC. The group issued a statement following the ITC’s unanimous vote in which it deemed that imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not a serious injury to …
ITC Blueberry Vote Unanimous
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined on Thursday that fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries are not being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat of serious injury, to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. The Commission’s determination …
American Blueberry Growers Alliance Statement on ITC Decision
WASHINGTON, February 11, 2021 – The American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA) released the following statement regarding the outcome of Thursday’s International Trade Commission (ITC) verdict regarding the global safeguard investigation into imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries: “The American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA) is disappointed with the decision today by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to find that …
Very Disheartening: GFVGA Executive Director Reacts to ITC Blueberry Imports Verdict
It wasn’t the verdict Charles Hall envisioned. “Very surprised and very, very disappointed,” he said following Thursday’s International Trade Commission (ITC) vote on the Section 201 investigation into serious injury surrounding blueberry imports. The ITC deemed that imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not a serious injury to the domestic industry. It goes against what members of the …
Case Closed: ITC Finds No Serious Injury Regarding Blueberry Imports
Southeast blueberry producers were dealt a blow today regarding the 201 Investigation into serious injury that imports have had on the domestic industry. The U.S. International Trade Commission determined on Thursday via vote that, “fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, …
Presidential Authority: Final Decision Regarding Blueberry Imports Rests with Biden Administration
The American Blueberry Growers Alliance’s (ABGA) stance on imports has not changed over the years: serious injury has been inflicted on American farmers, especially those in Florida and Georgia. But where does President Biden stand on this issue? That’s the stance that will ultimately decide the Section 201 investigation regarding blueberry imports. Even if the International Trade Commission (ITC) decides …
Bacterial Wilt: Disease Challenging Blueberry Producers
A blueberry disease that has impacted the Florida industry since 2016 was found in Georgia for the first time in 2020. While there is no cure for bacterial wilt, producers can apply preventative measures to slow down the disease’s progression. “In Florida, they seem to be having increasing problems with it year after year, probably because the bacteria spreads so …
Current Research and Applications for Blueberry Irrigation Scheduling
By Ashley Robinson Recent work by researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) has targeted developing more robust smart irrigation scheduling methods for blueberries. Two main methods have been the development of a smart irrigation scheduling app and utilizing an unmanned aerial system (UAS). Wesley Porter, associate professor and Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist at UGA, discussed these new …