Michigan blue

One Michigan blueberry shipper told me today that drought conditions may trim 10% to 20% off what was expected to be a crop of 88 million pounds in the state. Fresh market conditions have been supported by a strong processing market and shorter crops in Georgia (30% of normal) and North Carolina (40% of normal). Northwest growers have also been dealing with rain and then heat, robbing some yields there. Current prices in Michigan of $21 per flat may strengthen to perhaps $22-24 by mid-August, the shipper said.