HAMMONTON—The expectations for Hammonton blueberry producers are high with the first few weeks of the season already showing promise.
“I expect as good a crop or better than last year,” Tim Wetherbee, sales manager for Diamond Blueberry Inc., located at 548 Pleasant Mills Road said.
Owner Bill DiMeo of Indian Brand Farms, located at 600 Middle Road, estimates a 35 percent increase in crop production from last year as long as the weather continues to cooperate.
“But really you can’t count’em until you sell’em,” DiMeo said.
According to co-owner Art Galletta of Atlantic Blueberry Company, located at 7201 Weymouth Road, the blueberry crop has been a good one so far and the weather has been favorable.
Galletta estimates that his crop will be similar to last year’s.
The blueberry season typically begins mid-June and lasts until mid-August with peak production likely occurring in late June to early July, according to Galletta.
Blueberries are harvested for fresh packing until early to mid-August and for the frozen market into early September, he said.
Although growing conditions have been good, the bushes bloomed about a week early because of warm weather in the early spring, Wetherbee said.
“We had about four days of a hot streak that ripened the fruit a little faster,” he said.
For Manager MaryAnn Rizzotte, the young crops of Glossy Fruit Farm Market, located on Route 206 are producing a full crop of nicely-sized berries.
DiMeo also has seen a heavy crop but noticed a variation in size.
DiMeo said he was unsure if the variation in size is as a result of the cooler nights in May or the pollination, but the crop is heavy this year.
Early in the season, Rizzotte believes they are “on mark” in meeting or exceeding last year’s crop.
The Duke variety of blueberry is currently being harvested and is at its peak for taste, DiMeo said.
These are the first to ripen and have a hard skin with a combination of tart and sweet flavor, he continued.
The beginning of July marks the harvest for the blue crop variety that has a sweeter side, he said.
The Elliott are last to be picked and have a distinctive tart flavor, DiMeo said.
The price for blueberries are determined by supply and demand, according to Galletta.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics, the average price per pound that growers received last year for blueberries was $1.67.
In 2006, the price averaged $1.61 and in 2005 $1.23.
“We had a real good year last year with good prices,” Galletta said.
Even with a good harvest and a beautiful berry, Rizzotte has found a little difficulty in the movement of blueberries.
“We are in the middle of our first pick and the berries are gorgeous, but right now we are experiencing a small struggle in movement,” she said.
But with an excellent crop so far, Rizzotte and the rest of the blueberry growers in town are expecting good things this season.