Australians are eating and growing more blueberries than ever, but questions are being asked about how production of the fruit is being regulated. Almost 80 percent of Australia's blueberries are grown on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, where the industry has grown rapidly.
In 2004, Australia produced fewer than 2,500 tonnes of blueberries and the crop was worth an estimated $24 million. By 2024, production had reached 27,500 tonnes valued at more than $500 million.
"It's a significant industry and a good-news story," Berries Australia board member James Kellaway said. He said the growth of the industry had been driven by demand for a convenient and healthy fruit, and he expected demand would continue to rise. More than half of Australian households regularly buy blueberries and an annual consumption of 1 kilogram per capita is among the highest in the world.
At a recent meeting of the Nambucca Environment Network at Macksville, locals raised concerns about the berry industry's use of chemicals, water, protective plastic tunnels and bird netting. Raewyn Macky, who lives at Yarranbella in the Nambucca Valley, is worried about spray drift from chemicals used on berry farms.
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