STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Long Term Priorities

• Improve the level and consistency of profitability across scales of production.

• Increase the consistency of wild blueberry supply.

• Grow the number of Maine wild blueberry farms and businesses.

• Build capacity for wild blueberry research and Extension at the University of Maine.

• Support strategic wild blueberry promotion, health research, and market development to grow demand and loyalty.

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2023 Priorities

• Help address labor and workforce housing challenges

• Coordinate the development of practical best management practices to support food safety goals.

• Develop strategic initiative(s) to reverse the trend of decreasing wild blueberry farm numbers.

• Advocate for state and federal policies, opportunities, and regulations that support our industry.

• Support and foster research, innovation, and opportunities that aid climate change adaptation, increase resiliency to climate change, and reduce supply inconsistencies.

• Carry out and support promotion and health research programs to generate demand across scales and business models.

• Catalyze research and development to increase efficiencies and address critical business and infrastructure challenges.

• Develop and execute strategies to remove barriers to growth and innovation.

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Profitability Barriers

• Lack of price stability and predictability prevents investments in fields and equipment

• Increasing competition from the cultivated industry (inclusive of fresh, frozen, US, and import) 

• Lack of profitability discourages generational transfer and contributes to the loss of farms and  businesses 

• Climate change and its influence on the consistency of supply 

• Buyer’s substitutability between cultivated and wild blueberries, and between Maine and  Canadian wild blueberries