FREDERICTON: Blueberry farmers in the Maritime provinces are reportedly facing heavy losses following extreme heat and drought. The biggest loss has been recorded in New Brunswick, where blueberry manager Donald Arsenault stated that up to 70 percent of the province’s crop has been destroyed. He added that they are expecting only 22 to 24 million pounds of harvest this time, compared to the usual 68 million pounds. In Nova Scotia, the yield has dropped by 55 percent, and in Prince Edward Island (PEI) by 13 percent.
As blueberries require high moisture content, the prolonged drought across the provinces caused the berries to shrink and led to a reduced yield. Additionally, the increase in heat forced a week-long suspension of harvesting due to wildfire threats, which was a major setback for the farmers. With the price offered by traders being lower than the cost of production, many farmers are now unable to make a profit due to the reduced yield. Farmer organizations are preparing to approach the government for financial assistance.
