Blueberries are a delightful and nourishing snack that you can enjoy in all sorts of ways, like eating them straight, making them into pancakes, or putting them in pastries. But they’re not always around—blueberries have a special time of the year when they’re ready to be picked and taste the best.
Knowing the right time to buy blueberries in various places around the world can help you get the most delicious and fresh berries. We’ll take you through the seasons when blueberries are ripe for the picking in different regions, so you can savor these yummy fruits to the fullest.
Table of Contents
- Why Knowing Blueberry Season Matters
- Blueberry Picking Season in North America
- Blueberry Season in Europe
- Blueberry Season in Asia
- Blueberry Season in South America
- Blueberry Season in Australia
- Blueberry Picking Season in Africa
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are blueberries around all year?
- What country grows the best blueberries?
- Which country produces the most blueberries?
- Do blueberries grow in Africa?
Why Knowing Blueberry Season Matters
It’s important to know when blueberries are in season to make the most of their taste.
Blueberries taste their best and are juiciest during their peak season. Plus, they’re cheaper when there’s a lot of them around. Knowing when that time is means you can buy them at good prices.
If you know when blueberries are in season, you can plan meals around them when they’re fresh and easy to find, like adding them to breakfast bowls, using them in cakes, or making sauces for dinner.
Another good thing about buying blueberries during their season is that you’re supporting local farmers. It also means less shipping from far places, which is better for the planet. All these reasons show why it’s useful to know the blueberry seasons for enjoying your treats.
Blueberry Picking Season in North America
North America grows tons of blueberries in many different places where they thrive.
In North America, the time for picking blueberries differs from place to place. Mostly, the season runs from May until September.
Let’s look at the main blueberry places and when their season is:
- Northeastern United States: from the end of June to the start of August
- Southeastern United States: from May to July
- Midwest United States: from the middle of July to the middle of August
- Pacific Northwest United States: from the end of June to the start of August
- Canada (British Columbia): from the middle of July to the start of September
- Mexico: from January to April
These times might change a little with the weather. It’s always a good idea to check with a local farmers’ market or grocery store to find out when and where the blueberries come from to get the best fruit.
Blueberry Season in Europe
Europe loves blueberries, and different areas pick them at different times.
Here are when some key parts of Europe pick their blueberries:
- Scandinavia (Sweden, Finland, Norway): from late July to early September
- United Kingdom: from the middle of June to the middle of September
- Poland: from the end of June to the start of September
- Germany: from the middle of June to the end of August
- France (Loire Valley, Pyrenees): from the end of June to the start of September
Blueberry Season in Asia
Asian countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand also grow blueberries, mostly from June to September, with some differences based on the place.
- China: from June to August
- Japan: from the end of June to the start of August
- South Korea: from the middle of June to the start of August
- Thailand: from June to September
Blueberry Season in South America
South America’s great weather and soil make it a big blueberry supplier, with seasons from October to March depending on the area. Here are the big blueberry places in South America and their seasons:
- Chile: from October to February
- Argentina (Tucumán, Entre Rios provinces): from November to January
- Peru (Ica, Piura valleys): from October to February
- Colombia (Antioquia, Boyacá departments): from November to January
During the fall and winter, South American farmers gather these berries with care so people everywhere can enjoy blueberries almost all year round.
Blueberry Season in Australia
Australia has several areas that grow blueberries. Generally, they are harvested from October to March, but it changes with the region’s specific climate.
Let’s look at the blueberry harvest times for some of the major regions in Australia:
In different parts of Australia, blueberry seasons can vary:
- In New South Wales, you can pick blueberries from October to February. This is when blueberries are ripe in places like the Mid North Coast, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley.
- If you’re in Queensland, the best time to collect blueberries is from September to January, especially in areas like the Sunshine Coast and Atherton Tablelands.
- For those in Victoria, look out for blueberries from November to February in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.
- And in Tasmania, you’ll find blueberries ready from December to February in the Huon Valley and Tamar Valley.
Blueberry Picking Season in Africa
Blueberries aren’t usually found in Africa because the weather in many places isn’t great for growing them. But, some African countries with cooler weather and higher land are starting to try growing blueberries.
In South Africa, you can find blueberries mainly in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga provinces. Their blueberry season goes from November to March, hitting the most fruit in January and February.
Kenya is also starting to grow blueberries. A few farmers have managed to grow them in the cooler highland areas, and they are typically harvested from October to December.
Blueberry farming isn’t big in Africa yet, but it’s getting more popular. More people want to eat blueberries, so we might see more farmers across Africa start growing them.