RECENT TRENDS IN AUSTRALASIAN BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION

Blueberry production in Australia and New Zealand continues to gradually increase as new plantings mature. Combined production is now estimated to total 3000 tonnes with Australia now the dominant producer. Both industries face challenging times ahead as a result of an increasingly competitive marketplace and fluctuating plant productivity. Domestic blueberry consumption continues to grow indicating good long term prospects for this crop in the South Pacific. Central to this growth will be the ability of these industries to remain globally competitive.