Blueberries Harvest, Yield, and Storage

Wikifarmer

Editorial team

4 min read
02/01/2025
Blueberries Harvest, Yield, and Storage

Maximizing Blueberry Yields: Harvesting, Storage, and Packaging Tips

Blueberry plants can start producing fruits from the 2nd-3rd year after planting (3-5-year-old plants). However, the yield becomes commercially satisfying, usually 2-3 years later. The blueberry plants remain productive for up to 10 to even 50 years. The yield can be maximized when the environmental conditions are favorable, the plants are pruned, irrigated, and fertilized appropriately throughout their life, and the pressure from pests and diseases is low. 

How productive is a blueberry farm - Blueberry yields

A good irrigated blueberry farm can produce an average yield of 2,000 lbs/acre (2241.7 kg/ha) in the third year after planting. Each year after that, the yield continues to increase, with the five-year-old mature plant producing even 16-22 tonnes per hectare or 14275-19628 lbs/h. Each plant can produce an average of 9-15 lbs (4-6.8 kg) per season, with some records mentioning a yield of up to 25 lbs (11.3 kg) per rabbiteye blueberry plant. 

When and how to harvest blueberries

Blueberries must be harvested at full ripeness, identifiable by their deep blue color and slight softening. Ripe berries detach easily from the plant (without being squished). Harvesting too early results in tart, underdeveloped fruit, while overripe berries are prone to damage and spoilage. 

To ensure that blueberry is ripe, you can collect and taste some. The color development of the fruits is favored by a temperature of 70-80 °F (21-26.6 °C). Interestingly, the blueberries first obtain the characteristic blue-purple color, and they develop the full flavor 1-2 days after. Leaving the fruits to ripe, the farmer can harvest berries of larger size and better quality. 

Blueberry harvesting season can be anywhere from late spring to late summer (late May through mid-August for the north hemisphere), depending on the blueberry variety and the local climate conditions. Growers may need to perform 3-7 pickings (1 per week). Blueberries are not as sensitive as raspberries and blackberries and can remain on the plant even 10 days after ripening without any quality decrease. On the contrary, they keep growing in size (up to 20-35% increase). However, this is not advised if there is a significant problem from diseases, pests, or other animals damaging the fruits. 

You can harvest by hand or by mechanical harvesters. You can choose a sunny day early in the morning. Keep your hands clean, pick only the ripe fruits, and be careful not to squeeze them. 

Hand harvesting is the standard for fresh-market blueberries due to its precision in selecting ripe fruit and minimizing bruising. Workers should have clean hands when harvesting the berries and avoid squeezing them. They usually use soft containers and avoid stacking them. It is important to collect berries in the early morning on a dry, sunny day. In contrast, mechanical harvesting is increasingly adopted for large-scale operations, especially for berries destined for processing. Mechanical harvesters shake the bushes to dislodge fruit onto padded conveyors. While efficient, this method often results in a higher proportion of unripe and damaged berries, making post-harvest sorting essential.​

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How to store blueberries

It is important to avoid picking fruits with fog or rain and don’t wash them before storage. The harvested fruits should be directly removed from the heat and sun; otherwise, their quality will drop. It is best not to mix damaged or infected berries with the rest to minimize the post-harvest yield losses. You can avoid rubbing off the white bloom (waxy finish) from the fruits. You are advised not to overfill the containers (not more than 2 in) to avoid squeezing the lower berries. Blueberries are quite resistant to post-harvest handling compared to other berries and have relatively extended storage(self)-life. You can store the blueberries at 32 °F (0 °C) and 85% relative humidity. Under such conditions, the blueberries can be stored for 2 weeks. Higher temperatures will decrease the storage capacity. For example, blueberries placed at a temperature of 70 °F (21 °C) can be stored only for 2 days. 

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Grading and Packaging of blueberries

Blueberries are typically graded based on size, color, and overall condition. Uniformity in size and appearance is essential to ensure consumer appeal and marketability. Modern sorting machines equipped with advanced sensors are often used to separate blueberries into categories based on these criteria, ensuring consistent quality in packaging.

Packaging is important both for protecting the fruit and meeting the preferences of different markets. Blueberries are commonly packaged in punnets or clamshell containers made of plastic or cardboard. These containers are designed to minimize bruising and damage during handling and transport. Clamshells often feature resealable lids or are sealed with top-seal foil, providing additional convenience for consumers and extending the fruit's shelf life. For bulk packaging, strong fiberboard cartons or waxed cartons are used, which are ideal for maintaining quality under high humidity conditions during storage and transportation.

To ensure freshness, packaging materials are often lined with plastic film or dividers to reduce movement and protect the fruit from external damage. The use of perforations in packaging allows airflow, reducing the risk of fungal growth by managing humidity levels. Proper stacking on pallets is also critical to prevent compression damage, particularly to the blueberries at the bottom of the containers.

References

https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/masabni/PPT/blueberry.pdf

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/growing-blueberries-in-the-home-garden

https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-blueberries-home-garden#harvest-and-storage-19613

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-1422

https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec1304/html

https://www.freshknowledge.eu/en/increase-your-knowledge/crops/blueberry/packhouse-practices-for-blueberries.htm

https://ushbc.blueberry.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Fresh-Blueberry-Conversion-List.pdf

https://www.freshknowledge.eu/en/increase-your-knowledge/crops/blueberry/harvest-practices-for-blueberries.htm

Further reading

14 Interesting Facts about Blueberries

Uses, Nutritional value and Health Benefits of Blueberries

Blueberries vs. Bilberries- Are blueberries and bilberries the same thing?

Blueberry Plant Information-How to Identify Blueberry Plants

Blueberry Soil Conditions and Site Selection

How to Cultivate Blueberries Professionally

Blueberries Propagation and Pollination

Blueberry Water Needs and Irrigation Methods

Essential Blueberry Fertilization Guide: Nutrients, Schedules, and Best Practices

How to Prune Blueberries

Blueberries Pests, Diseases, and Weed Management

Blueberries Harvest, Yield, and Storage