The Business of Blueberries

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Kevin Hamilton, vice president of global marketing and communications for USHBC and NABC. Over the past two years, Hamilton and his team have elevated how we look at what’s next for driving consumer demand for blueberries at retail, helping to reshape how blueberries show up as a category. He joins the podcast to share about the USHBC’s efforts at retail, and the impact these programs and retail relationships are having on the blueberry industry. “ We're here to simply do exactly what (retailers) want to do: Sell as many blueberries as possible at the best price. And then with the pilot projects that have turned into recurring projects with these retailers – they're seeing results. So the evolution has gone from introducing ourselves to now us getting phone calls from them, having a more collaborative relationship.” – Kevin Hamilton Topics covered include: An introduction to Hamilton and his work at the councils.A discussion of the efforts underway with retailers, and the importance of these relationships on driving demand for blueberries.A look into the strategies and tactics for growing the blueberry category at retail.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. You’ll hear from Brittany Lee in Florida, Derrin Wheeler in Georgia, Kristin Brinkley in North Carolina, Alec Arena in New Jersey, TJ Hafner in Oregon, Eliza Spreitzer in Michigan, Pat Goin in Indiana, Sunny Brar in British Columbia, Mario Ramirez in Mexico and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on April 30, 2026.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” we’re sharing the highly requested and well-attended panel discussion Understanding Mexico’s Production Landscape from The 2026 Blueberry Hill Climb and Industry Meetings. Facilitated by U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) vice chair Brittany Lee, this session brings together an elite panel of veteran voices providing firsthand experience on some of the difficult decisions currently reshaping the region. The panel includes Mario Flores, vice president of Twin River Berries; David Jackson, owner of Family Tree Farms; and Gonzalo De Elizalde, global product leadership vice president for Driscoll’s. “ When we grow supply, we are seeing that the market can move and transact higher volumes of fruit at higher prices over time. I think that is thanks to the amount of fruit that is being produced and being pumped to the industry by Peru, Mexico, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Michigan, everyone. So, what I'm trying to say is that we are truly in it together.” – Gonzalo De Elizalde Topics covered include: A look at the blueberry production landscape in Mexico.A discussion of the impact of imports on the blueberry industry.An exploration of the labor challenges in Mexico and the U.S. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. You’ll hear from Sunny Brar in British Columbia, Pat Goin in Indiana, Kristin Brinkley in North Carolina, Eliza Spreitzer in Michigan, TJ Hafner in Oregon, Derrin Wheeler in Georgia, Michelle Borges in California and Alec Arena in New Jersey. This was recorded on April 23, 2026.