From Frost to Future

As Florida blueberry growers, we all know that no two seasons are ever the same. But the 2026 season, affected by the late January and early February freezes, is one we will discuss for decades to come. It was a highly fragmented, polarized year that became the story of half a crop.

Looking back at the state as a whole, our overall yield wrapped up at roughly 50% of an average harvest. But that number doesn't tell the whole story. Final success this year was entirely dictated by your physical location and crop maturity when the weather turned on us.

A Regional Snapshot

The severe freeze event that began on January 31 and extended into February 1 defined the trajectory of our entire season. It hit during critical flowering and early fruit-set stages. High winds and low dew points made overhead freeze protection extremely difficult, and how your farm fared depended heavily on microclimates and crop phenology (how far along your blooms were).

The damage split our state into very different realities:

• Central Florida (~25% Crop): This was the hardest-hit region, suffering severe losses and very low production. For many growers here, low yields meant it made no economic sense to bring out harvesting crews. They faced the tough choice to leave fractional fruit in the field and file insurance claims.

• South Florida (~50% Crop): Fared moderately better, benefiting from natural regional warmth and protected pockets, but there are not many farms this far south to begin with.

• North-Central Florida (~75% Crop): This was where the industry did the best, pulling through with three-quarters of a normal harvest for most. This shined a light on the late-blooming, short-bloom-to-ripe varieties. Beyond the frost, we fought heavy bird pressure—the worst we've seen in a decade—plaguing fields from South Florida all the way into South Georgia. Late rains in May also complicated the final stretch, but we benefited from cool mornings and little rain in March and April. On the labor side, local workers were available early on, but many H-2A consulate delays caused bottlenecks that squeezed some of our neighbors in Georgia.

Market Realities & the Premium Window

Despite early damage and increased disease risks like Botrytis and stem blight, Florida growers showed incredible grit. We managed to hit our vital March to May window, capturing the premium "first-to-market" national pricing before Georgia came in.

Because overall supply was low, the pricing environment was strong. Georgia’s early crop was delayed by weather, Morocco faced disruptive rains, and Mexico’s production curve was late and inconsistent. Growers who accurately predicted their yields and pre-sold fruit capitalized significantly from prices we have not seen in a decade.

However, the season exposed some marketing miscalculations. Some marketing companies over-predicted Georgia's early volume and pre-sold fruit at near-break-even prices, capping potential returns for growers. By mid-April and May, some marketers ended up with more unexpected fruit than pre-sold contracts, forcing them onto a volatile spot market. It’s a stark reminder of why accurate forecasting matters. Fortunately, the lack of supply allowed growers to work through damaged fruit and get the best of it to the hungry market with limited claims. This did cause picking and packing inefficiencies, but quality improved after the initial pick.

Better Genetics and Stronger Representation

If we want to protect our early-market value and move away from the volatility of older varieties, we have to look forward. The shift to higher-quality fruit is already happening. Right now, growers are putting an exciting new University of Florida release in the ground: ‘Sharper’ (FL19-006). Optimized for Central and South-Central evergreen systems, this early-season cultivar produces jumbo-sized, sweet, and aromatic fruit averaging 2.9 grams. It delivers exceptional shelf life and high yields.

For Central and South Florida, varieties like ‘Sharper’ are going to be game-changers, boosting our early-season volume and fruit quality right before Georgia starts. Other varieties, such as Falcon, are being planted from South Florida to Georgia. Falcon is known to have big, high-quality berries and big yields, and is later blooming than Optimus and Sentinel. Growers from North-Central Florida to North Georgia reported little to no damage this year due to freezes on Falcon.

There is a growing frustration among domestic growers regarding the lack of strong, U.S.-first advocacy. The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) represents all of North America, and their recent actions reminded growers of their inability to stay neutral and has left domestic growers feeling unrepresented. Because of this, a movement has started to form in the direction of a dedicated American Blueberry Growers Association. Regional and organic organizations are pushing for real representation that strictly fights for the economic survival of U.S. growers and pushes for fair trade barriers against surging imports that suppress our prices.

Action Item: The USHBC Referendum

Heading into July, we have a critical operational task. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is facing its mandatory five-year continuance referendum.

USHBC Referendum Voting Details:

• Voting Period: July 13 – July 24, 2026

• Eligibility: Any producer or importer who handled 2,000 pounds or more of highbush blueberries in 2025.

Regardless of where you stand on internal policy debates, casting a ballot is vital. We need to ensure Florida’s voice dictates how national promotion, research dollars, and the “health halo” marketing of our fruit are managed. Keep an eye on your mailbox and make sure your vote is counted. This is the one and only organization promoting blueberries on a national level.

Looking Ahead

This year was a mixed bag that tested every bit of our resilience. While many faced devastating losses, others salvaged a profitable year because elevated pricing made up for lower volumes.

Whether we are managing post-freeze disease pressures or fighting for fair trade representation, this Association stands ready to back you. The future of Florida blueberries is bright, driven by better genetics, stronger unity, and the unbreakable resolve of the people who work in this industry. Let's get to work and pray for a successful harvest for all in 2027.