Product Offerings
Product Categories:
consulting and professional services, Fruits
Products:
Blueberries: Fresh Blueberries, Frozen Blueberries, Dried Blueberries, Blueberry Puree, Blueberry Juice
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federally authorized agricultural promotion group headquartered in Folsom, California. Established in 2000 under the USDA Research and Promotion Program, the USHBC represents growers, marketers, exporters, and importers of highbush blueberries in the United States. Its mission is to drive consumer demand, support grower sustainability, and expand global markets through marketing campaigns, research investments, and health communication initiatives.
Core Business and Product Offerings
USHBC does not sell products directly but serves as a central authority for promoting and supporting the U.S. highbush blueberry industry. The council supports the production and marketing of:
- Fresh Blueberries
- Frozen Blueberries (IQF)
- Dried Blueberries
- Blueberry Puree
- Blueberry Juice and Concentrates
These products are consumed across retail, foodservice, bakery, snack, and beverage segments both in the U.S. and internationally.
Specialization and USP
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council differentiates itself by leveraging data-driven marketing, cutting-edge research, and cross-sector collaboration to elevate blueberries as a superfruit. Key areas of specialization include:
- Health-Focused Marketing: Promoting scientific findings about blueberries’ role in brain health, heart health, and diabetes management
- Sustainability Initiatives: Supporting environmentally sound farming practices
- Market Expansion: Aggressive international promotion to build demand in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
- Innovation Partnerships: Supporting food manufacturers in developing new blueberry-based products
The council provides verified origin marketing support for the North American highbush blueberry industry, covering over 98% of U.S. commercial blueberry production.
Financials and Economic Impact
USHBC is funded through industry assessments from growers and importers. Its budget supports consumer education, export promotion, grower resources, and health-related research.
- Annual Budget (2022): Approx. $12 million
- Industry Size (2022): U.S. highbush blueberry production valued at over $1.2 billion
- Harvest Volume: Over 750 million pounds of highbush blueberries harvested annually in the U.S.
USHBC uses these funds to run the "Grab a Boost of Blue" campaign and other high-ROI marketing efforts.
Shipment and Export Data
Blueberries are one of the top U.S. fruit exports, with the USHBC supporting market development through the USDA’s Market Access Program.
- Top Export Markets: Canada, Japan, South Korea, China, Germany, Vietnam
- Export Volume (2023): Over 100 million pounds
- Export Value: Approximately $250 million
- Growth Focus: Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Latin America
The council supports global market access through promotional events, trade missions, and importer-retailer partnerships.
Target Market
USHBC targets a diverse range of domestic and international stakeholders:
- Consumers: Through social media campaigns and health messaging
- Food Manufacturers: Promoting blueberries in bars, beverages, snacks
- Retailers: Providing merchandising toolkits and data insights
- Importers & Distributors: Facilitating B2B linkages and product innovation
- Healthcare & Nutrition Professionals: Delivering science-backed nutrition education
Capabilities
- Health Research Funding: Over $8 million invested in clinical trials and studies on blueberries' health effects
- Marketing & PR: Award-winning consumer campaigns with millions of impressions
- Export Promotion: USDA-aligned programming and international branding
- Data & Insight: Real-time industry dashboards, retail data analytics, and grower benchmarking
Certifications and Compliance
As a USDA Research and Promotion Program entity, the USHBC ensures full compliance with federal guidelines. While not a certifying body itself, the council promotes industry adherence to:
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
- Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Benchmarked Certifications
- USDA Organic Standards (for organic blueberry producers)
Customer Testimonials
"The USHBC’s marketing insights have helped us boost blueberry sales by 20% year-over-year."
— Category Manager, National Grocery Chain
"We rely on their scientific content and health claims to create our superfruit beverage formulations."
— R&D Lead, Functional Beverage Company
Major Achievements
- Launched the “Grab a Boost of Blue” campaign, reaching over 500 million consumer impressions in 2022
- Funded landmark clinical studies at Harvard and Tufts showing positive effects of blueberries on cognitive function and cardiovascular health
- Hosted the Blueberry Summit bringing together 300+ industry stakeholders annually
- Developed the USHBC Data and Insights Center, providing analytics tools for growers and marketers
- Successfully lobbied for the inclusion of blueberries in U.S. government nutrition programs and export trade agreements
Through strategic innovation, global collaboration, and science-driven messaging, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council continues to elevate blueberries as a trusted, healthy, and versatile superfruit worldwide.