The Florida Blueberry Growers Association and Georgia Blueberry Growers Association sent a joint letter May 3 to their Congressional representatives asking that provisions to protect the blueberry industries of Florida and Georgia be included in North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. 

The Florida and Georgia blueberry industries have experienced growth and stability in the recent past, however the competitive disadvantage with the large volumes of low-priced fruit has resulted in a collapsing market, and a continual and rapid decline in pricing. "It is impossible for our blueberry growers to compete," says a statement from the Florida Blueberry Growers Association.

In 2015, the Florida and Georgia blueberry industry was estimated to be worth $186 million, the statement says, with an economic impact of approximately twice that. 

Among the other challenges the industry is facing this spring, the massive importation of Mexican blueberries is crippling the Southeast industry, the statement continues. So far this season, Mexico has imported 43.5 million pounds of fresh blueberries. Florida and Georgia growers have produced about half as many pounds. 

“We applaud the administration’s commitment to renegotiating with Mexico and Canada, and hope that considerations will be made that will help protect our blueberry industry in the Southeast – the viability of our industry is at stake, ” says Brittany Lee, president of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. 

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