Blueberries tipped for bumper season
Blueberries are likely to have a bumper season as the warmer El Niño weather pattern arrives in New Zealand ahead of peak blueberry season in mid-January.
The blueberry industry is reassuring New Zealanders that the popular fruit will still be available this Christmas.
This is despite the season getting off to a rough start with October's hard frost (-4.8 degrees c).
Blueberries New Zealand executive member Jeremy Wylie says despite recent frosts wiping out entire orchards in the Waikato, there will be enough stock for the Christmas holiday season.
"We know the demand for Blueberries is high, as data over the last few years has shown massive buyer growth for our fruit," Wylie explains.
"It is one of our most challenging years, but we are very keen to ensure New Zealanders get to enjoy our healthy, delicious fruit this year."
He says there's been a massive upswing in consumption for blueberries - particularly since the pandemic, as people are looking for the healthiest fruit and vegetable available.
"Blueberries are the perfect little snack, full of dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and vital antioxidants," Wylie says.
The blueberry season is traditionally from October to April.
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In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
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