A common question I’m asked is, “What do you do in the off-season?” The answer is simple: We hustle. The off-season is our time to plan, budget, and forecast for the next harvest. Planting and growing healthy bushes are fundamental parts of our work, but many other factors are crucial to our success. Pre-harvest realities can set in earlier than expected, and shifting policies, pests, weather, and labor add layers of complexity.

Policy, Disasters, and the Continuing Recovery

Thanks to policy actions, the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) has been extended to support those who didn’t receive help previously or who were late recognizing the impacts of Hurricane Helene. If you’re applying, report to your FSA office as soon as possible. I hesitate to state that the tropics have remained relatively calm so far this year.

Labor costs are rising and domestic availability is uncertain. There is growing pressure to raise our assessment fees to the United States Highbush Blueberry Council to bolster consumption as supply from domestic and imported production rises and wholesale prices continue to fall. USHBC predicts fruit volume will double over the next five years. While growth hasn’t materialized as projected, much of the increase is expected from Peru. Florida growers will see higher supply and higher-quality fruit from Mexico as growers restructure and expand into new regions. Some states, such as Florida and North Carolina, don’t expect increased volumes from their states but are feeling the effects of rising volumes out of Georgia on both sides of that harvest curve.

Market Dynamics and Opportunities

Our market remains attractive, and Mexico’s expansion continues as they restructure and move toward regions with better conditions and improved varieties. In recent years, we’ve seen more fruit from different regions in our window, including Morocco. American-owned companies are planting larger farms in Mexico and Peru. Mexico poses an immediate challenge to Florida growers from the import side, a trend likely to persist as these companies pull production out of Florida to double down elsewhere. Imports have surpassed domestic contributions to USHBC through assessments, adding complexity to the funding and representation landscape between domestic growers and USHBC. Despite controversy, USHBC remains the primary national promotions body, and its role in funding industry promotions and advocacy matters. It is incumbent on growers to engage with this organization to help manage our hard-earned dollars and to maintain and highlight the domestic growers’ agenda.

On a brighter note, timely developments and beneficial tax relief from the broader policy package this year, along with improvements planned for our FSA offices under Executive Director Marcinda Kester, are expected to improve grower access to disaster relief, TAP, and other federal funding.

Field and Farm-Level Progress

Chilli thrips presented a tougher challenge this season, with increasing resistance driving higher spray costs and more effort to maintain plant health. In recent years, less timely rains have necessitated careful irrigation management. As we tackle these farm-level activities, a constant reminder remains: Securing labor, replanting with better varieties, and ensuring machine-harvest readiness have never been more important. The introduction of newer UF varieties offers promise and aligns with market demand for high-quality fruit, bigger berries, and increased yields.

There is noteworthy progress in our packing sheds. At least one AI color sorter is being adopted and shows real improved and precise sorting. Buyers expect large, firm fruit with strong blush. Preserving quality to support domestic pricing is critical as imports rise. We’ve seen price dynamics shift in states like Georgia, where imported fruit can command higher prices due to quality and infrastructure advantages. Florida will need to work hard to maintain quality and rely on premium pricing.

Policy as a Continuing Priority

Immigration enforcement is tightening the labor landscape. The good news is that Adverse Effect Wage Rate will stay stable, with flat rates for all job categories. This could modestly reduce picking and packing costs if your H-2A applications were submitted after the ruling in late August 2025.

Looking Ahead and Calling the Community Together

Amid these shifts, our growers continue to build knowledge and resilience. The fall meeting and trade show is set for October 23 at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. I look forward to seeing you there, sharing updates, and learning from one another about what works best in these exciting times.

— Kyle Straughn