It’s that long-awaited time of year once again, when consumers flock to their local produce departments to be met with a vivid sea of fresh blueberries. Deliciously sweet and jam-packed with nutrients, the small superfruit is constantly stirring up waves of demand, and these first few months of 2026 are no different. Calling out to simple snackers and adventurous culinary explorers alike, the category is charting the course for increased berry consumption. Looking to climb aboard and ride the wave? Take some advice from these aficionados and go full steam ahead…
Tim Youmans,“Blueberries have cemented their status as the ultimate snack, and their increased year-round supply is one factor driving growth. Consumers are drawn to convenience, consistently improved eating quality, and the powerful health benefits this superfruit delivers. This success isn’t accidental; it’s fueled by dedicated industry-wide investment. At California Giant Berry Farms, we are making significant, strategic moves to enhance the category. This includes heavy investment in improved genetics for better flavor, as well as cutting-edge sorting and packing technology to ensure the highest quality reaches the consumer. This focus on excellence is translating into exciting market trends, like the surging popularity and market share of jumbo and other super-premium packs. These technological investments secure the quality our customers and consumers expect and the profitability needed for sustained growth, keeping the blueberry category dynamic for the long term.”
Paul Driscoll,“Blueberry innovation is moving faster than ever, delivering a superior eating experience, and driving demand for premium quality. Consumers are becoming more discerning, and expectations are rising. North Bay is ready to meet the challenge. Through diverse global planting initiatives, including the SEKOYA program, we’re setting new standards for flavor, yield, and shelf-life—creating wins across the entire supply chain. As a cooperative, our strength lies in diversity and a commitment to sharing knowledge. This collaboration accelerates the development of new varieties to their full potential, faster and with greater consistency. Because consistency in quality isn’t just a goal, it’s the key to sustaining global growth and keeping blueberries at the center of consumer demand.”
Michelle Deleissegues,“Due to their small size and package configurations, blueberries can be easy to overlook in the produce department compared to the larger, brighter fruits—especially during the holidays when creating visual impact is at its peak. Build display height and volume by checkerboarding blueberry displays with other berries. Add incremental sales by placing blueberries in other refrigerated department cases. For example, merchandise blueberries with bagged salads to add flavor and boost nutrition, in the deli department with cheeses for appetizers and cheese boards, and in the bakery for topping cakes and other desserts.”
Ryan Fronke,“Blueberries continue to shine as a must-have staple in the berry category, driven by year-round availability and exceptional health benefits. Homegrown Organic Farms is positioned to build on this momentum with new plantings and fresh varietals from our domestic crop in 2026 and beyond. We’re especially eager to expand our California coastal programs to kick off the domestic season earlier, along with a steady supply of our jumbo blueberries, Mammoth Blues™, from May through August. As an industry, we continue to raise the bar for quality and consistency in every clamshell, ensuring that consumers enjoy the very best, week after week. Coupled with strong retail support highlighting the convenience, snackability, and health benefits of blueberries, we expect to see continued growth in overall consumption.”
Jim Roberts,“Don’t let the February chill fool you—it’s still a great time to promote blueberries! Consider advertising the great health benefits of blueberries and the variety they can add to your shoppers’ routines. February can bring a winter slump, so blueberries—with their antioxidants, bright color, and naturally sweet flavor—can be a great natural remedy.
The Naturipe Farms team will be heavily promoting Mighty Blues, our jumbo-sized blueberries, ahead of the Super Bowl with our Go Big! campaign. These are a great option for retailers who want to offer their customers something a little over-the-top; they can be enjoyed like typically-sized blueberries, with a wow factor you just won’t find anywhere else. Shoppers in February will also enjoy exceptionally high-quality berries from Chile, thanks to updated supply chain logistics as well as new blueberry varieties that are bred to deliver improved taste and flavor.”
Garland Reiter, Jr.,“Blueberries continue to be one of the most dynamic categories in fresh produce, and we see tremendous opportunity to elevate the experience. At Driscoll’s, our mission is simple: Delight consumers through flavor and quality. That starts with genetics—developing proprietary varieties that deliver exceptional taste—and extends through the entire value chain. Premium offerings like our Sweetest Batch™ blueberries have gained strong traction because shoppers are willing to pay for an elevated product. Great-tasting berries are typically consumed fresh right out of the clamshell; that’s why the job of the first clamshell is to sell the next clamshell. It is essential for retailers to create a ‘berry destination’ in refrigerated cases, cross-merchandising blueberries with the remaining berry patch of strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. By aligning with retailers on shelf placement and differentiation, we can grow category value together while keeping the consumer at the center.”
Ryan Howard,“Blueberries remain one of the strongest-performing categories in produce, and Family Tree Farms is committed to elevating the experience through flavor-first breeding and premium offerings. Consumer demand remains strong for blueberries that deliver exceptional flavor, firmness, and visual appeal. Our proprietary Jumboz™ program has successfully elevated the eating experience with larger-sized berries that offer a consistently sweet bite and crisp crunch, driving shopper excitement and repeat purchases.
Retailers who position blueberries as a premium snacking item—supported by prominent placement and clear messaging around flavor and quality—are capturing greater shopper engagement and strengthening category performance. In 2026, our commitment remains focused on flavor-first breeding, reliable global supply, and collaborative strategies that support retail partners in building a destination blueberry program. When consumers experience a noticeably better blueberry, they don’t view it as a routine purchase—they make it a must-have item in their basket every time they shop.”
Yasmin Pacia,“A Harvard-affiliated study found that regular blueberry consumption helped slow memory decline in older adults, supporting the idea that this small berry plays a fundamental role in long-term brain health. As brain wellness becomes a bigger part of everyday nutrition choices, shoppers are looking for foods that support cognition, and blueberries fit that space naturally.
For retailers, this creates an easy value story to share: no new routine, no education challenge, just a familiar fruit with a great health benefit. Blueberries already show up in breakfasts, lunch boxes, and quick snacking, which makes the brain health message simple to add in. It’s a natural way to speak to wellness-minded shoppers and encourage them to come back for more.” 
