Skip to content

Blueberry season wrapping up early in Abbotsford

Hot summer weather was too much for local crops
26208073_web1_blueberries
(Abbotsford News/ File)

Blueberry season is coming to an early end, due to the hot weather that baked the Fraser Valley earlier this summer.

“The biggest culprit is the heatwave,” says Harmon Mahil, who oversees MSB Farm in Abbotsford. “It’s basically destroyed people’s crops.”

He has heard estimates of losses between 30 and 50 per cent from other farmers, hitting mostly the early varieties such as the Duke.

“We’ve got maybe a week left at most now,” he said, and a normal season would produce well into September.

They sell mostly to a wholesaler but also have a roadside stand for those who want to buy fresh and local. He said if you haven’t gotten a freezer full of blueberries, it may already be too late.

“Local fruit definitely is best,” he said. “Buy local and fresh, and freeze it fresh.”

Like many local growers, MSB Farm sells mostly to a wholesale processor and has gate sales for the public as well. Stores will likely have to source blueberries from California and other states, he added.

READ MORE: Canadian blueberries ruled not a threat to American producers


@CHWKcommunity
jessica.peters@abbynews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation here.



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
Read more