Blueberry production in the Azores may represent excellent business opportunity, says Regional Director for Agriculture
The Regional Director for Agriculture stated today that the investment in the production of blueberries in the Azores may be an excellent business opportunity. This is a highly appreciated fruit in the market with a growing demand for its nutritious and healthy properties, being well- adapted to the archipelago's soil and climate conditions.
"Experimentation has been conducted since 2006, through the installation of various blueberry experimental fields, which have allowed us to study the varieties that best adapt to the environmental and climate conditions of the Azores," said José Élio Ventura. He spoke on the sidelines of a visit to a blueberry experimental field of the Regional Directorate for Agriculture on São Miguel.
The Regional Director stated that five varieties of this species were initially tested (Brigitta, Duke and Elliott, Misty and O'Neal), of which the "Misty" and "O'Neal" species stood out for being less demanding in cold weather.
"'Misty' was the most productive variety as it requires lighter soils that are rich in organic matter and acidic pH. Studies have shown that this variety can reach production yields of about 10 tonnes per hectare," José Élio Ventura said, adding that this variety predominantly produces in the months of April, May and June, and again in August and September.
The average production may generate between 30 to 70 thousand Euros per hectare, depending on whether it is produced in conventional mode or organic production mode. According to José Élio Ventura, this is extremely attractive for producers who decide to go by blueberries, which should be preferably grown outdoors.
"This is an important business opportunity, even in a situation of alternative production over another type of fruit growing. This is a crop may be easily produced through organic mode since it is not particularly affected by harmful organisms," said the government official.
As a result of the experiments carried out, the services of the Regional Directorate for Agriculture are available to provide technical information to producers interested in this crop, and the plants may be purchased in specialised nurseries.
José Élio Ventura noted that blueberries register a growing demand in the market. They bring significant health benefits to consumers, given their nutritional and therapeutic properties, with special emphasis on their antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, antiseptic, eyesight and circulatory system boost properties. In this regard, he noted that blueberries are mandatory fruit in the diet of NASA astronauts.