Maine is the state that produces the most blueberries, accounting for an estimated 99% of all wild blueberries grown in the US. The state contains around 60,000 acres (24,281 hectares) of native blueberry plants that grow naturally. If cultivated blueberries are also included in the figure, Maine produces approximately 15% of all blueberries in North America. In 2012, Maine grew around 91 million pounds (41,276 metric tons) of wild blueberries for an estimated value of $69.1 million US Dollars (USD), according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Out of Maine’s blueberry crop, only around 1% are sold fresh, with the vast majority being purchased frozen.
More about blueberries in the US:
- The US is the world’s leading producer of blueberries, its leading berry crop after strawberries. The 2012 value for US berries was over $850 million USD.
- Chile is the top importer of blueberries to the US, and provides an estimated 50% of all blueberries sold in the US during its blueberry off-season from November to January.
- Michigan is the state the produces the most cultivated blueberries in the US, with around 87 million pounds (39,462.6 metric tons) in 2012.
