Written and Published by BMT Foods, July 28, 2026
With the dog days of summer upon us, you may have seen or eaten wild blueberries at some point this summer. Wild blueberries are a popular ingredient in many summer desserts, especially pies and other baked goods.
Tiny with a thicker skin than cultivated blueberries, wild blueberries are ideal for baking because they keep their piece identity and don’t implode like the larger cultivated blueberries when used in baked goods.
Health benefits of wild blueberries
Like most berries, wild blueberries offer numerous health benefits that benefit the body in many ways. First, they are packed with anthocyanins – a type of antioxidant – which has shown promise in reducing systemic inflammation, as well as improved circulation. Additionally, wild blueberries are high in Vitamin C, which may improve immune system performance, while improving energy. And, wild blueberries, through their high level of antioxidants can help reduce blood pressure and even potentially protect memory health.
Where are wild blueberries grown and harvested?
Wild blueberries are, in large part, harvested in certain regions of Canada, as well parts of the Northern U.S. In Canada, Quebec and New Brunswick both are home to large wild blueberry industries, while Maine is the leading U.S. state to harvest wild blueberries.
Summer 2026 wild blueberry crop outlook: Quebec
This summer, in Quebec, Canada, there have been favorable conditions for wild blueberries, leading to healthy early development. There was a lot of deep snow this past winter, which helped lay the foundation for a healthy wild blueberry crop.
Flowering is slightly later than normal this week, delayed by about 1 to 1.5 weeks. However, all signs are pointing to a strong wild blueberry crop amid the pleasant weather, and above-average flowering, assuming drought risk is contained and that strong drought does not persist through the rest of the summer.
Summer 2026 wild blueberry crop outlook: New Brunswick and Maine
Further east, in both New Brunswick, Canada, and the U.S. state of Maine, the wild blueberry crop is still feeling lingering effects of last year’s prolonged drought, with residual plant stress and field damage potentially impacting this year’s wild blueberry crop. Given that information, Quebec is likely to lead the growing regions in highest crop yields.
Overall assessment of the Summer 2026 wild blueberry crop
2025 really put in a dent in the wild blueberry crop last year, and all indications point to little to no carry-over into the 2026 season. Industry inventories remain historically low and demand has overwhelmed the wild blueberry industry. If the weather in Quebec and other regions can remain favorable through the next few weeks, we expect a high wild blueberry yield with little issues. However, if drought conditions begin or accelerate, it could complicate the overall crop this year.
BMT Foods recommends securing your wild blueberry volume early this season, to get ahead of any potential issues, and we will continue to keep you posted on further developments.
BMT Foods offers IQF (individually quick frozen) wild blueberries, as well as other wild blueberry products. Reach out to the BMT Foods team today to discuss your wild blueberry product needs and protect your wild blueberry supply chain.