Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:01:18 +0000

Blueberries Killing the Economy—One Crisis at a Time In recent years, a quiet but disruptive crisis has been unfolding across key agricultural sectors: blueberries are emerging as unwitting harbingers of economic strain. From California’s Central Valley to berry farms in Europe and Canada, blueberry production—once celebrated for its health benefits and market growth—is now threatening livelihoods, straining supply chains, and destabilizing regional economies. This isn’t just a farming issue—it’s a growing economic storm. ### The Blueberry Boom—and What’s Breaking Global demand for blueberries continues to soar. Packed with antioxidants and marketed as a superfood, they have driven record farm incomes and export volumes. But behind the headlines of success lies a growing list of systemic challenges. Climate volatility—droughts, frosts, and unpredictable weather patterns—is damaging crops and squeezing yields. At the same time, rising labor costs and labor shortages are making harvests more precarious and expensive.