California Business Minute™

The California Redevelopment Association, CRA provides legislative
advocacy, professional development and public education.  In support
of its members it responds to legislative proposals and administrative
regulations.

For further information, contact us www.calredevelop.org or at 916-448-8760

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

Ten years ago, if you looked around for commercial blueberry production it would
have been hard to find in the Golden State.  But California is quickly becoming
the leader in blueberry production. North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon and Georgia
have been the big players in the U.S. high bush blueberry market. This year, California's
estimated 60 commercial growers could harvest close to 23 million pounds.

New Jersey and Oregon growers still remain the production leaders with 28 and 11 percent,
respectively, of the U.S. fresh blueberry harvest, but California has now surpassed Georgia
and North Carolina, producing 9 .97 percent of the nation's crop in 2007. This year, production
is expected to surpass 23 million pounds as blueberry acreage has grown to nearly 4,000
statewide.

Comparing labor and production costs, California growers are at a disadvantage. Land and
development costs are roughly twice the cost compared to Georgia. California costs run from
$10,500 per acre to $18,800. Oregon costs are around $9,000 per acre. Farming costs, not
including labor, are $2,300 to $4,200 per acre in California and $1,400 to $1,900 per acre in
Oregon.

But it is quality that Californian growers are betting on sustaining demand and manifesting
into higher prices. 

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.