Blueberries Beat Peaches as Georgia's Top Fruit Crop, Local Farmer Benefiting

Georgia is no longer the Peach State.

The Associated Press recently reported that blueberries have beat peach production since 2005, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey. And that number continues to grow.

In 2012, blueberries brought in an estimated $94 million to Georgia farmers. That’s more than three times the value of last year’s peach crop, which was about $30 million.

Doug Brown, co-owner of DJ’s U-Pick Blueberry Farm in Lawrenceville has witnessed that growth firsthand.

He started planting blueberry bushes on his family farm seven years ago and selling berries three years later

“I’ve just planted 300 new ones [bushes] this past year, I’m going to expand out here next year and put another three, four hundred out here,” said Brown pointing to a plot of land across the narrow driveway from his current crop.

Brown says he’s seen an increase in sales over the years.

“I’ve had more pickers than I’ve had berries,” said Brown.

The price for blueberries has increased from an average of 48 cents a pound in 1993 to $1.34 in 2012. 

Brown attributes the blueberries explosion in popularity to the antioxidant fruit’s health benefits.

“More people want to be healthy, eat right,” said Brown. “We don’t put any sprays on them.” While he is not certified organic, Brown says they do not use any chemicals on their crops.

Georgia’s warmer climate is a draw to blueberry producers, especially to those in Michigan. Many of who have signed contracts with local growers to begin harvesting in April, according to the Associated Press report. Georgia farmers also are looking to replace crops like tobacco and timber. Tobacco crops are decreasing in numbers due to fewer smokers and timber’s numbers tumbled when the recession slowed home building.

As for replacing the pictures of peaches on license plates and signs saying “Welcome to Georgia” with blueberries, Brown is all for it. 

“Peaches are way down the line as far as the crop now,” said Brown. “Blueberries are the number one crop that’s coming in.

--What do you think? Should Georgia be known as the Blueberry State instead of the Peach State? Do you have a favorite blueberry recipe? Tell us in the comment section below.