Worldwide Production of Blackberries

Authors: STRIK, B - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY; CLARK, J - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS; Finn, Chad; BANADOS, M - UNIV CATOLICA DE CHILE

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2006
Publication Date: 1/28/2008
Citation: Strik, B.C., Clark, J.R., Finn, C.E., Banados, M.P. 2008. Worldwide production of blackberries. Acta Horticulturae. 777:209-218.

Interpretive Summary: A survey of blackberry production conducted in 2005 found that an estimated 20,035 ha of blackberries were planted and commercially cultivated worldwide, a 45% increase from estimated area in 1995. In Europe, 7692 ha of black berries were commercially cultivated with Serbia accounting for 69% of the area. In North America, 7,159 ha of blackberries were commercially cultivated in 2005 with the USA accounting for 67% of the area planted. Mexico accounted for 32% of the planted area in North America in 2005 with 2,300 ha and is projected to grow to at least 5,000 ha by 2015. There were 1,640 ha of commercially cultivated blackberries in Central America in 2005; most of this production was in Costa Rica and very little was exported. In South America, 6,380 t of blackberries were harvested from 1,597 ha. Ecuador accounted for 53% of the planted area in this continent, but exported very little fruit, while Chile exported almost 10,000 t of blackberries in 2004 from 450 ha. In Chile, area planted increased 50% from 1995 to 2005 and is projected to be 800 ha in 2015, provided competition from Mexico does not adversely affect cost of production and competitiveness. China accounted for all of the production in Asia with 1,550 ha and 26,350 t in 2005. There were 2,528 ha of organic blackberry production reported in the world in 2005. Use of tunnel production was reported on 315 ha worldwide with tunnels mostly being used to protect against adverse weather. Of the blackberry area planted worldwide, 50% of the cultivars were semi-erect, 25% erect, and 25% trailing types. ‘Thornfree’, ‘Loch Ness’, and ‘Chester Thornless’ were the most important semi-erect types and ‘Brazos’ and ‘Marion’ the most common erect and trailing types, respectively.

Technical Abstract: A survey of blackberry production conducted in 2005 found that an estimated 20,035 ha of blackberries were planted and commercially cultivated worldwide, a 45% increase from estimated area in 1995. In Europe, 7692 ha of black berries were commercially cultivated with Serbia accounting for 69% of the area. In North America, 7,159 ha of blackberries were commercially cultivated in 2005 with the USA accounting for 67% of the area planted. Mexico accounted for 32% of the planted area in North America in 2005 with 2,300 ha and is projected to grow to at least 5,000 ha by 2015. There were 1,640 ha of commercially cultivated blackberries in Central America in 2005; most of this production was in Costa Rica and very little was exported. In South America, 6,380 t of blackberries were harvested from 1,597 ha. Ecuador accounted for 53% of the planted area in this continent, but exported very little fruit, while Chile exported almost 10,000 t of blackberries in 2004 from 450 ha. In Chile, area planted increased 50% from 1995 to 2005 and is projected to be 800 ha in 2015, provided competition from Mexico does not adversely affect cost of production and competitiveness. China accounted for all of the production in Asia with 1,550 ha and 26,350 t in 2005. There were 2,528 ha of organic blackberry production reported in the world in 2005. Use of tunnel production was reported on 315 ha worldwide with tunnels mostly being used to protect against adverse weather. Of the blackberry area planted worldwide, 50% of the cultivars were semi-erect, 25% erect, and 25% trailing types. ‘Thornfree’, ‘Loch Ness’, and ‘Chester Thornless’ were the most important semi-erect types and ‘Brazos’ and ‘Marion’ the most common erect and trailing types, respectively.