New Brunswick is poised to become the world's largest producer of wild blueberries, with nearly 1,600 hectares of Crown land being set aside in the north for production and development, the provincial government announced on Wednesday.
The economic impact of the blueberry industry in New Brunswick is currently more than $39 million, according to the government. (CBC)
The government has allocated land in Gloucester and Northumberland counties, which will be leased to 37 growers for commercial cultivation, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet said in a statement.
Growers applied through a request for proposal process last fall, and the successful applicants had to meet several criteria to prove their ability to develop and operate their projects in a sustainable manner, said Doucet.
Another call for proposals will be issued this fall for lands in northeastern New Brunswick, he said.
"Wild blueberry production has enormous potential for fuelling economic growth in our province, particularly when you consider that the value of production at the farm gate has more than tripled over the last decade," said Doucet.
The current economic impact associated with wild blueberry production in the province is estimated to be more than $39 million, with about 360 full-time jobs and about $11 million in labour income, according to the statement.
About 78 million pounds of blueberries were harvested in New Brunswick last year — a record production, it said.
More than 300 farm families are currently involved in the province's wild blueberry industry. New Brunswick's production currently accounts for 25 per cent of Canada's overall production of the fruit.
The applications from growers last fall were reviewed by a committee of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the Department of Natural Resources and Opportunities NB. The approval process was developed with input from industry representatives, the statement said.
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