Berries

The 2026 fruit harvest is shaping up to be mixed for growers, with apples, pears, and peaches all down while cranberries buck the trend with solid gains.

Since 2010, U.S. fruit production is down nearly a third while fresh imports have surged 70%. Foreign produce now competes with American crops even during peak harvest, and farm expenses have jumped sharply over the past few years.

Winter Storm Giana rolled through Florida in early 2026 and damaged strawberry crops right during peak season. Combined with California rainfall issues, U.S. strawberry production fell 3% from the prior year's record.

Blueberry season is in full swing, and depending on where your berries come from, the story behind them is pretty different. Washington had a clean start, Oregon battled fruit flies, and Georgia finished strong after a dry growing season.

Specialty crop growers can apply for USDA financial assistance through a login.gov account or at their local FSA office, with a deadline landing this Friday, August 7th.

This season's Florida blueberry crop was hit hard by the cold, leaving many farmers in a tough spot.

The USDA's latest funding announcement could open doors for local specialty crop markets. Exciting times are ahead for anyone invested in agriculture around here.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council just scored big — $850,000 to help our blueberries find new homes around the world.

With significant funding on the way, U.S. blueberries are gearing up for a sweet journey into markets across Asia and beyond.

Blueberry production in Washington continues to climb, with 2025 coming in close to, if not equal to, the previous year’s record crop of 210 million pounds.