Blueberry growers and importers deliver a powerhouse crop that contributes nearly $9.1 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy, or nearly $25 million every day, according to new reports from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC).

“The new reports reaffirm what our industry has long recognized—blueberry growers have a powerful and positive impact on the U.S. economy,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC. “Thanks to the ongoing commitment of growers and our import partners, blueberries are available to consumers year-round, contributing to spending that helps create and maintain thousands of jobs and delivers billions in economic activity nationwide.”

“The economic impact of blueberry growers is both far-reaching and deeply rooted in the U.S. economy,” said Cronquist. “From job creation to tax revenue, blueberry growers fuel sustained economic activity in every region of the country.”

In the United States specifically, the U.S. highbush blueberry industry accounts for $6.7 billion in annual economic impact, or about $18.3 million per day, while creating and sustaining 49,260 full-time equivalent jobs supported by the business activities of U.S. growers. Additionally, U.S. highbush blueberry growers generate nearly $2.4 billion in labor income each year, equating to about $6.7 million per day, and indirect business taxes generated by grower spending totals nearly $193.1 million annually, or $529,000 per day, not including income taxes.

Learn more from USHBC and in this interview with Cronquist.
Interview with USHBC president Kasey Cronquist 13:14