History
For many centuries, Native Americans gathered fresh blueberries from the forests of North America. Even then, blueberries were revered for their medicinal properties and were consumed year round, as both fresh and preserved berries.
Despite their popularity and abundance in North America, blueberries were not available in Australia until the 20th century. In the early 1950’ blueberries were first brought to Australia by Karel Kroon and Ralph Proctor from the Victorian Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately this first attempt to grow blueberries was unsuccessful. It was not until almost twenty years later that the Victorian Department of Agriculture tried again. This time, David Jones carefully planted and tended to his blueberry seeds and eventually successfully grew several blueberry plants. His work was carried on by Ridley Bell and Margaret Tucker. Their dedication and enthusiasm towards the creation of a successful blueberry industry in Australia saw the formation of the Australian Blueberry Growers' Association (ABGA) in the mid 1970’s.
Increased acceptance of blueberries from the general public, and the development of skilled growing and cultivation techniques, led to larger commercial production of blueberries in the mid 80’s. Since then, the industry has never looked back with demand, popularity and growing areas in constant expansion.
Today
Today more than 2,400 tonnes of blueberries, with a farmgate value of $A30 million, are picked from farms in all across Australia. Half of these are sold fresh into the Australian domestic market, 30% is exported to Asia and Europe, while the remaining 20% of fruit is processed, mainly as frozen product.
Within the global market, Australian blueberries have earned a reputation of premium quality based on both their delicious flavour and consistency in size. As the Japanese become increasingly aware of the amazing health benefits of blueberries, Japan has developed into a major export market for Australian blueberries.
In Australia the consumption of fresh blueberries has grown dramatically. Currently we consume more than 1,400 tonnes of fresh blueberries every year, of which 90% are grown right here in Australia. Due to the geographic spread of blueberry farms and the development of new cultivation techniques, the industry is able to provide fresh blueberries for 10 months of the year – so from July through to April, there will always be fresh Australian blueberries to enjoy.
Locality Map Seasonality
And into the future....
With the support of the ABGA, Horticulture Australia, and the Department of Primary Industries the future of the blueberry industry is bright. The ABGA’s vision for the future includes plans to develop environmentally sustainable farming practices, and further enhance the quality of fresh blueberries through research and development projects. For us this means consistently great tasting blueberries – good for us and good for the environment.