Blueberry Industry Contributes Nearly $9.1 Billion Annually to U.S. Economy

The blueberry industry contributes nearly US$ 9.1 billion annually to the U.S. economy, equivalent to around US$ 25 million daily, according to new reports from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). The results highlight the important economic role of the sector, driven by both national producers and importing partners. "The new reports reaffirm what our industry has long recognized: blueberry producers have a powerful and positive impact on the U.S. economy," said Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC. The study attributed the total of US$ 9.1 billion to increased activity across the blueberry supply chain, including both berries grown in the United States and imported ones. The impact on the U.S. population: The industry sustains 61,676 full-time equivalent jobs annually, mainly through the activities of producers and importers, not counting jobs linked to processing and handling. Annual labor income generated by the sector amounts to US$ 3.3 billion, with an average of ...