June boom anticipated for Southeast blackberries

A robust blackberry season in the Southeast is anticipated by year-round berry supplier Wish Farms.

Wish Farms, based in Plant City, Florida, is a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries growing both conventional and organic varieties.

Wish Farms said peak blackberry volume is expected around the second to the third week of June, with the season concluding in September.

The blackberry season is expected to align well with the high-quality blueberry crop coming from the region. Weather in Georgia and North Carolina has been ideal leading up to the season, according to Wish Farms. Plants have had desirable chill hours, and so far, there have been no major weather events or late winter injuries leading to bud or fruit damage.

Since 2016, growth in the blackberry category has been a focus for Wish Farms Cane Berry Director Jose Saca.

“We aligned ourselves with exceptional growers that allow us to provide great tasting varieties like PrimeArk 45, Osage, Ouachita and Natchez among others,” he said in a press release. “We are also encouraged by the steady growth in consumer demand. If there are no major weather events, we can expect a good production year with early volume estimates 15%-20% higher over last season.”

In 2018, Wish Farms completed a 7,500-square-foot cooler in Shelby, North Carolina to manage their blackberry program in the region. All Wish Farms blackberries in this region will ship from this facility after thorough quality control inspections.

“This southeastern blackberry program is essential to our mission of providing the best tasting berries,” James Peterson, VP of sales, said in the release. “We look forward to working with our retail partners this June and throughout the summer to support blackberry ads.”

Photos: Wish Farms