Photo by Province of British Columbia
Blueridge Produce
Workers at Blueridge Produce in Langley packaging fresh blueberries for the journey to China.
This is the first full season that B.C. blueberries are being shipped to China. Last summer, a small amount of fresh blueberries were sent to the country to ensure that the packing-and-shipping process met all the requirements in the agreement between the governments of Canada and China. The test run was a success. Now B.C. will increase the amount of fresh blueberry shipments to China this season and B.C. blueberry growers could be looking at the potential of up to $65 million in exports a year, once the agreement is fully implemented.
“The B.C. blueberry industry is excited about expanding international markets and especially this new opportunity to provide our healthy, sweet and quality fresh B.C. blueberries to China. 2016 will be the first full season of shipments to Mainland China and our registered growers and suppliers have been working hard to ensure the highest standards. British Columbia is one of the few regions able to ship fresh blueberries to China.” said Debbie Etsell of the BC Blueberry Council.
British Columbia is one of the largest highbush blueberry-growing regions in the world, producing about 96% of the Canadian production of cultivated blueberries. In 2015, B.C. farmers harvested about 70,000 tonnes of blueberries, an increase of 7%. Exports of B.C.’s blueberries accounted for $218 million, up more than 29% from 2014.
“We are very proud to be one of the first B.C. companies to be approved for exporting fresh blueberries to China. We are looking forward to developing long-term relationships and to increase demand by the Chinese consumer for B.C.’s exceptional quality blueberries.” said Rhonda Driediger, of Blueridge Produce and Driediger Farms.