The freezing temperatures that swept across Georgia earlier this month resulted in damage to the state’s fruit crops, the worst of which appears to be in blueberries grown in the southernmost portion of the state.

In the mid-March event, temperatures plunged to the mid-20s in South Georgia and the teens in the North Georgia mountains.

Georgia Blueberry Commission Chairman Jerome Crosby says growers are still reviewing potential crop damage, but expects early-blooming highbush blueberries were the hardest hit.

“If you had highbush without frost protection, it’s gone,” Crosby says. “The fruit was so mature and the cold so severe, it was an immediate death to that crop.”

Crosby said about 40% of Georgia highbush blueberries do not have frost protection. Even with frost protection, growers could still have damage to 15% to 20% of their berries.

Rabbiteye blueberries, which bloom later, generally escaped serious damage, Crosby adds.

The diminished crop generated other concerns. Retailers waiting on the arrival of early season blueberries can resort to buying imported berries. Crosby worried that domestic producers might not regain that shelf space next year.

“Most of the farmers have crop insurance, but they don’t want to farm crop insurance,” Crosby says. “Big losers are packing facilities. There will be no revenue without fruit going down the processing line. That’s tough.”

Source - https://www.growingproduce.com