How many acres do blueberry farmers need to make money?
A blueberry farmer that has a farm size of 5o acres cannot make the same money as a blueberry farmer that has just 10 acres. We must not rule out the fact that the location is a major factor that will determine the amount of yield or harvest a blueberry farm will have. There are regions in the United States that have a high yield of blueberries.
Are blueberries worth the sales and money?
I will start my discussion of sales and money by stating from the outset that blueberries can, in certain cases, generate a good bit of money. The United States Department of Agriculture says that a mature planting of blueberries can return as much as $3,000 per acre with correct marketing, management, and growing.
How many blueberries are produced each year?
Total world production of blueberries was 823,328 tonnes in the year of 2019, led by the United States with 38% of global production and Canada with 21%. However, commercial blueberry farming is a very old, easy and lucrative business. You can start this business commercially for making good profits.
What is the profit margin on a blueberry farm?
As stated above, the profit margin on the blueberry farm is not cast on stone and we aren’t trying to make it look so, but on the average, once your blueberry bush reaches maturity they could produce from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds a year.
What is the Profit Margin of a Blueberry Farm Monthly or Yearly?
What factors determine the amount a blueberry farm can make yearly?
What is blueberry jam made of?
How much money do blueberry farmers make?
What determines how much money a blueberry farm makes?
How long do blueberry plants live?
Where are blueberries grown?
See 2 more
How difficult is blueberry farming?
Growing blueberries can be challenging. Sometimes the leaves turn yellow in the middle of the growing season. Other challenges include stunted growth and poor quality fruit. Sometimes the flower buds wilt and the berries start to look like little gray pumpkins.
How much does blueberry sell for?
The average retail price per pound for all fresh blueberries in Q1 of 2021 was $4.85/lb, which has increased +6.2% (+$. 30) to $5.15/lb in Q1 2022.
How many acres do you need to grow blueberries?
Typically, you can plan on between 1,300 to 2,000 blueberry plants per acre. It is ideal to create flat-top raised beds in long rows with incorporated organic matter such as sawdust or wood chips (pine or fir) or peat moss.
How much land do you need for a berry farm?
Find Your Planting Location Luckily, you don't need a massive plot of land to have a thriving berry farm. In fact, 2-5 acres can be great for a small family business. If you want a more commercial farm, aim for 15-30 acres.
How many years will a blueberry bush produce?
Blueberries will live and produce for 40 to 50 years. Attending to their ideal location and conditions at planting will guarantee you delicious fruit for many years.
Where are the largest markets for blueberries?
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are the world's largest markets for blueberry product. The United States is the world's largest producer of blueberries, followed by Canada and Peru. The United States is also the world's largest importer of blueberries.
How many times a year do blueberries produce?
You see, this new blueberry produces two crops each year, one in mid-summer, like other blueberries, then the new growth bursts into bloom a second time, resulting in a second crop just before the plants goes dormant for the winter.
How do I sell blueberries?
Blueberries may be marketed at roadside stands, at pick-your-own operations, at on-farm sales or at farmer's markets. There also are well-established wholesale markets for both fresh and frozen blueberries.
What does it take to start a blueberry farm?
The initial start-up fee is about $10,000 per acre including equipment such as tillers, sprayers, mowers, and tractors. Once land and equipment are ready, blueberry bushes can be planted in line rows. They thrive in acidic soil at a PH level of 4.6 and 5.1.
What is the most profitable berry to grow?
What is the most profitable crop per acre? Goji Berries are one of the heists per acre crops to grow. This berry can yield up to 7,000 pounds per acre in fresh berries, This is and can be a lucrative cash crop for small hobby farmers.
How much can you make off an acre of blackberries?
By selling at retail prices a one acre organic blackberry orchard jam operation can generate $1,171,1200 in profit over 6 years.
What is a berry farm called?
An orchard is an intentional plantation of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit- or nut-producing trees which are generally grown for commercial production.
Is Blue Berry expensive?
As you can see, blueberries have a good reason for being so expensive. They take some time to grow, and they have to be grown in very specific conditions. If you don't have the time to grow blueberries, make sure you buy them in bulk when you see them on sale. You can even freeze them if you need to.
How much is a 10 pound box of blueberries?
10lb Bulk Blueberry Carton Self-LockingVolume PricingQuantity14+Price$703.50$585.00
How much is 1kg blueberry?
Buy Delishh Blueberries Online at Best Price of Rs 1179 - bigbasket.
How much does a gallon of blueberries cost?
Blueberry Prices Pick-your-own-blueberries are $15 per gallon.
Small Farm Business Opportunity – How to Profit From Blueberry Sales?
How much can a mature blueberry plant produce? A mature blueberry plant can produce anywhere from 5-20 lbs. For more information on this see this publication from the University of Kentucky and look at page 7. A mature blueberry plant is considered to be around 7 years old.
Home | University of Kentucky
Home | University of Kentucky
Blueberry Nutrition
Blueberries are highly nutritious and healthy fruits. They consist 14% carbohydrates, 0.3% fat, 0.7% protein and around 84% water.
Health Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries are nutritious, sweet in taste and widely popular throughout the world. They are often labeled a superfood, they are low in calories and incredibly good for all aged people.
Site Selection
Blueberry crop prefers soils which are highly acidic, fertile, aerated, moist and well-drained. The optimal soil pH range is between 4.0 and 5.5. In case of higher pH, adding a small amount of sulfur to the soil can reduce the pH of the soil.
Prepare the Soil
Preparing the land perfectly is very important for good production of blueberry. The land should be levelled and ploughed till it attains the fine tilth stage. And the main field should be made weed free.
Climate Requirement For Blueberry Farming
Blueberries can be grown on a wide range of climatic conditions. However, they are best grown and best thrive in warmer climates with full sun. You can contact with your local agriculture extension office for more information.
Best Time For Blueberry Cultivation
Actually, blueberry plants can be planted any time during the year if you can ensure sufficient irrigation.
Choose a Variety
There numerous varieties of blueberry available throughout the world for commercial farming. Every cultivar will produce for a period of 2 to 4 harvesting weekly.
How much does it cost to mulch a 2 gallon blueberry plant?
For 2 gallon blueberry plants it would cost about $8,712 an acre, and for 3 gallon blueberry plants it would cost about $10,890 for an acre of blueberry plants. For more information on our wholesale pricing “click here”. There are many options for mulching blueberry plants.
How much does it cost to plant blueberries?
Your initial investment could be anywhere from 10-20,000$ an acre. For one acre we generally recommend putting one 3.8 cubic bale of peat moss & four bags of 1.8 cubic bags of pine soil conditioner (pine fines) per every ten plants. It could be more or less depending on your soil and how much organic material is currently on your farm. This would be about 100 bales of peat moss and 400 bags of pine fines per acre. If you were to buy your soil ammendments from us it be about $2,400 per acre (this does not include delivery). Your irrigation costs can vary depending on what kind of system you use. We recomend using a drip irrigation system which would cost around $2,000. If you were to buy an acre of bare root 12-18 inch blueberry plants from Bluegrass Blueberries it would cost about $4,000 for an acre of blueberry plants. For planting 1 gallon blueberry plants it would cost about $5,445 an acre. For 2 gallon blueberry plants it would cost about $8,712 an acre, and for 3 gallon blueberry plants it would cost about $10,890 for an acre of blueberry plants. For more information on our wholesale pricing “click here”. There are many options for mulching blueberry plants. The best kind of mulch is something that it somewhat acidic such as pine bark or pine needles. However many people use grass clippings, straw, or wood chips. Cost of mulching will vary depending upon what you decide to do. Many times tree cutting companies will dump wood chips at your farm for free.
How much do blueberry bushes make?
Once your blueberry bushes reach maturity they could produce from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds a year . If they all sold for $4.00 a pound this means that you could make anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000 an acre a year once they reach maturity. According to research done in 1994 by Robert E. Gough, Ph. D. the average blueberry farm brings in around 6,000 lbs an acre. (The Highbush Blueberry and It’s Management pg. 194) So if the soil is good and the care taking is good you should be able to expect at least 6,000 lbs an acre which would mean around $24,000.
How long does it take for a blueberry bush to grow?
If you plant 2 year old 12-18 inch bushes it would take 6-8 years to reach full production.
How many pounds of blueberries can you grow in a year?
The maximum possible would be 20,000 pounds of blueberries a year.
How much does a blueberry plant produce?
How much can a mature blueberry plant produce? A mature blueberry plant can produce anywhere from 5-20 lbs. A mature blueberry plant is considered to be around 7 years old. Different yields will depend on many factors, such as, if the plant is healthy, if the plant has been fertilized properly, if the plant is in full sun, ...
Can you use grass clippings for blueberry farming?
However many people use grass clippings, straw, or wood chips. Cost of mulching will vary depending upon what you decide to do. Many times tree cutting companies will dump wood chips at your farm for free. Good information from the University of Kentucky on the costs of blueberry farming can be found here.
How to grow blueberry trees in a field?
Land should be levelled and ploughed till it attains the fine tilth stage. Main field should be made weed free. Plant spacing should be 80 cm in between rows and 3 meter aisles. Blueberry planting can be done any time during the year provided there is sufficient irrigation available. 1 year or 2 year plants grown in a 1 liter or 3.5 liter container should be planted in the main field. The preferred stem length is 15 to 25 cm & 25 to 45 cm. Pits should be dug 10 inch deep just before 2 weeks of planting the trees. Pits should be dug out a square about one meter across to give the side-spreading roots. The soil taken out from the pits should be mixed with equal parts of leaf mould, coco peat or compost.
What are blueberries?
Blueberries are perennial flowering plants of the genus “Vaccinium” that are usually grown for their dark berries. These berries can be consumed as raw, added to breakfasts, baked goods, and yogurts (curds) or made into jams. Blueberries have incredible nutrition and health benefits. Blueberries are not only popular but also repeatedly ranked in ...
When do blueberries start to produce?
Blueberry plants will start producing fruits from the second or third season of growth. The plants produce berries once a year. Harvested fruits can be marketed as fresh as well as canned (frozen). After harvesting the berries, all canes hat produced berries should be removed. Usually, harvesting will start in the month of Aug thru Sept. Don’t pick the Blueberries as soon as they turn blue and wait for a couple of days. When they are ready to harvest, they should fall off right into your hand.
How much fruit per blueberry plant?
Generally, in Blueberry farming, one can expect 1 kg of fruits per each plant in the first harvest. In subsequent years, Blueberry plant will double in yield until the 6th to 7th year of maturity. The maximum yield can be expected form a plant is 10 kg and an average yield is 5 to 6 kg per plant.
What is the best pH for blueberry plants?
Blueberry crop prefers soils which are highly acidic, fertile, aerated, moist and well-drained. The optimal soil pH range is 4.0 to 5.5 for best growth and yield. In case higher pH, adding a small amount of sulfur to the soil can reduce the pH of the soil. Before starting a blueberry cultivation, go for soil testing.
How to control weeds in a plant basin?
To control the weeds, plant basins should be kept clean and use any kind mulch (in spring season) along with any fertilizer made for acid loving trees. Mulching will save the water loss, controls the weed growth, protect the soil from erosion and mulching material will become well rotten organic fertilizer.
Where are blueberries native to?
diet as having one of the highest antioxidant properties. These berries are native to North America.
How many acres of blueberries are needed for a blueberry harvest?
A u-pick or farm hand picking is most practical when first starting out with only a small number of blueberry plants. It generally requires at least 10 acres of blueberries before machine picking is cost effective.
How long does it take for blueberry plants to produce?
Typically blueberry plants reach full production in their 7th year after planting. The first year there is no production, the second you can expect about 1500 pounds per acre and then it grows exponentially till they reach full production of around 6000 pounds per acre. The size of the harvest depends on many factors such as the blueberry variety, climate, condition of the soil, water availability etc. Clearly you can see that the first three years are the toughest. You have made a huge investment and won’t see any significant return on it till the fourth year after planting.
What is the best soil for blueberry plants?
The soil for example must have a pH between 4.6 and 5.1.
How long do blueberry fields last?
For sales to stores and other markets the cost are higher. The longevity of a properly managed blueberry field is 15 to 30 years. Establishing a blueberry planting requires a large investment of time and money.
How many pounds of blueberry per acre?
The first year there is no production, the second you can expect about 1500 pounds per acre and then it grows exponentially till they reach full production of around 6000 pounds per acre.
What are the two northern rabbiteyes?
Bluecrop, and blueray are two northern varieties that many use as their main plants. Bluegold is also a popular plant. In the south rabbiteyes such as Tifblue, Premier, Powder blue are popular money makers. Legacy, Misty, O’Neal and Ozarkblue are also popular with some growers.
Why are blueberries so expensive to grow?
The high initial the start-up costs for blueberries is high, this is mainly due to land preparation, labor costs and plant purchasing cost. However, after the plants reach maturity in approximately five to seven years, the profits should steadily increase.
How long does it take for blueberry bushes to produce?
Chris was originally going to grow blueberries for commercial outlets, but his young fields had a better idea. Though blueberries can take at least six years to full production, Chris was surprised to find quite a few berries on the bushes long before the projected year of full capacity. Thinking he had to do something with all those berries, he contacted as many people as he could from his list of friends and family to come harvest the berries. They picked about 4000 pounds out of the young field. The kids and adults alike had so much fun, that the commercial blueberry field was reborn as a u-pick agritourism farm. In his first year selling the berries, he charged $10 a gallon for customer picked berries. So financial payback is already on its way, and the blueberry bushes haven’t even reached full production yet. Chris says that so far, he hasn’t had a problem with birds helping themselves to the berries, though he realizes he may have to deal with that down the road.
How much did the blueberry farmer charge for his first year?
In his first year selling the berries, he charged $10 a gallon for customer picked berries.
Where can I grow blueberries?
They can grow in your area. There’s a type of blueberry for almost every region in the USA mainland. From the Pacific Northwest to the South. And each area has its own blueberry uniqueness. The South, for example, can get a one month jump on ripening before the rest of the country, and the Pacific Northwest can grow very late ripening varieties. Even the University of Hawaii is experimenting with tropical island blueberries, and wild Alaskan blueberries are a specialty crop, as well.
What was the name of the small farm that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina?
And the particular small farm he chose to focus on, Blue Harvest Farms, happened to be on land damaged by hurricane Katrina, about 50 miles from New Orleans.
Why do people dream of small farms?
But future micro eco-farmers, take note: Chris feels we’re needing and seeing more pick-your-own farms because more and more people are questioning where their food comes from . He says that once people discover his blueberries, they want to know if he has even more to offer, such as other fruits or vegetables, because people want an organic source and they enjoy harvesting them with their kids. Perhaps a society of small local farms is on the comeback. There certainly seems to be customers waiting.
Can blueberries tolerate wet feet?
Their shallow roots need specific watering and acidic soil conditions. Blueberries can’t tolerate a single drying out, nor can they tolerate wet feet. They need a constant supply of gentle well-drained moisture. This doesn’t have to be difficult. One Oregon blueberry farmer built up the humus in his soil so well over the years with composted leaves, that he completely stopped irrigating. But the watering issue must be properly addressed.
Can you grow blueberries for yourself?
Blueberries are versatile: Whether growing blueberries just for yourself, for a very small part time market crop, or a genuine full-time small-acreage enterprise, there are so many value-added products you can make and sell from blueberries – fresh pies, syrups, juice, dried berries, preserves, soda pop syrup, and even ice cream. Fresh berries can be sold as u-pick, at farmers markets, at roadside stands, as a CSA share option, and to local restaurants and other establishments such as schools.
What is the first job of a blueberry grower?
The first job for any potential berry grower is to determine how much time and space that can be devoted to a berry patch. If space and personal time is abundant, a grower may choose to plant several acres of blueberry bushes which will develop into a full-time job at least during growing and picking seasons.
Why are blueberries hybridized?
Most blueberries used for home and commercial production are of the high-bush type because of the larger size of the fruit and the easier growth habits of the high-bush.
How much does a blueberry plant return?
The United States Department of Agriculture says that a mature planting of blueberries can return as much as $3,000 per acre with correct marketing, management, and growing. Of course, the best choice for the small-farm grower with a good crop of blueberries is direct sales.
How does a gallon pail work?
It works like this: When the berries ripen, the field is opened up to visitors who come in and pick as many berries as they want. Gallon pails are provided by the growers, and folks come and pick until they get tired. When the picker is finished, he or she returns to the starting point and pays for the berries.
How good is a blueberry patch?
If properly planned, planted, and maintained, a blueberry patch will provide great benefits to the small-farm owner for many years to come. Spend a little time speaking with local university extension agents, walking over the property looking for good planting areas, and then plant good, suitable bushes.
When do berries ripen?
Berries which come ripe even a few days sooner than the main flood of produce will bring a higher price from fruit markets, so growers should try to grow early-ripening varieties.
Do blueberries grow in hot or cold weather?
If these minimal requirements are met, blueberries will grow and produce. Most blueberries are quite cold resistant, and they don’t mind hot, humid weather such as we get on the Gulf Coast. There are varieties of blueberry which are very well suited to higher, mountainous climates.
What is the Profit Margin of a Blueberry Farm Monthly or Yearly?
As stated above, the profit margin on the blueberry farm is not cast on stone and we aren’t trying to make it look so, but on the average, once your blueberry bush reaches maturity they could produce from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds a year. If they all sold for $4.00 a pound this means that you could make anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000 an acre a year once they reach maturity.
What factors determine the amount a blueberry farm can make yearly?
The Advertising and Marketing Strategies Adopted by the Blueberry Farm. Another key factor that will determine the amount a blueberry farm can make yearly is the advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the blueberry farm.
What is blueberry jam made of?
Blueberry jam is made from blueberries, sugar, water, and fruit pectin. Blueberry sauce is a sweet sauce prepared using blueberries as a primary ingredient. Blueberry wine is made from the flesh and skin ...
How much money do blueberry farmers make?
A blueberry farmer that has a farm size of 5o acres cannot make the same money as a blueberry farmer that has just 10 acres.
What determines how much money a blueberry farm makes?
Another key factor that will determine the amount a blueberry farm is expected to make yearly is the management style of the blueberry farm. Trust me, the results you will get when you are a good manager will definitely be far different from a blueberry farm with a poor manager.
How long do blueberry plants live?
Blueberry plants will live and produce for 40 to 50 years. New blueberry produces two crops each year, one in mid-summer, then the new growth bursts into bloom a second time, resulting in a second crop just before the plants goes dormant for the winter.
Where are blueberries grown?
Significant production of highbush blueberries occurs in British Columbia, Maryland, Western Oregon, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Washington.
