Mainebiz

V O L . X X V N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 20 M I D C O A S T & D OW N E A S T F O C U S 480 farms make up the rest. Most are under 50 acres, though falling prices have forced some smaller operations out of business. Despite being a hearty crop suited to harsh Maine winters, wild blueber- ries are affected by weather and climate change. In recent years, the biggest disruption was an oversupply of a few years ago, prompted by the growth of the cultivated crop and more cultivated berries being frozen, and three large wild blueberry crops in a row in both Maine and Canada. In Maine, more than 100 million pounds of wild berries were harvested in 2014, 2015 and 2016 — the highest annual output in the last decade. In 2017, prices paid to farmers fell as low as 25 cents a pound. Recent data show signs the situation is starting to normalize, with annual production levels moving down to 67.7 million pounds harvested in 2017 and 50.3 million pounds of berries in 2018. Prices are also starting to move higher, with the average amount paid up to 46 cents a pound in 2018. 'The only thing we grow' at's some comfort to long-time growers like Ed Hennessey, board chairman and retired president of Machias Savings Bank. He and his sons farm around 400 acres of wild blueber- ries in Whitneyville, some of which his younger son supplies to Cherryfield Foods under contract. Hennessey predicts a close to aver- age crop in Maine this year, and better prices than last year. He also underscores that while the family has diversified into other business activities, they have no immediate plans to stop farming blue- berries or do what his grandfather did and sell their land. "We're in it for the long haul," he says. "We've got a lot invested, and hopefully the blueberry business will turn for the good. at's the only thing we grow." Molly Sholes, owner of Spruce Mountain Blueberries in West Rockport, is less optimistic, saying, "e blueberry industry is suffering for various reasons and not making very much money." She harvests wild blueberries from 110 hilly acres she sells fresh and uses to make chutney, jams, vinegar and toppings. Sholes, who turns 89 this month, lost one of her biggest customers when the State of Maine Cheese Co. owner closed the Rockport Marketplace this sum- mer, and doesn't see herself in the business much longer. 'Time for the good times' Looking at the bigger industry picture, David Yarborough, interim executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, sees cause for optimism. "Agriculture goes in cycles," he notes. "We've had good times and we've had bad times. It's now time for the good times." At the same time, he sees the industry's biggest challenge » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Don Smith AVP of Lending Bangor North We specialize in helping Maine and New Hampshire businesses grow, with loans of all types, generated through our local credit union partners. And because we're not a bank, we're able to off er better terms and greater fl exibility. Our streamlined process will get you the money you need in a timely way. Whether you're looking to borrow $50,000 or $20,000,000, come in and talk to us fi rst. 866.736.2804 | mainebls.com Are you tired of working with a virtual lender? Our local lending team is focused on you. EQUIPMENT LOANS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS BUSINESS EXPANSION LOANS Agriculture goes in cycles. We've had good times and we've had bad times. It's now time for the good times. — David Yarborough Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine S OU R C E: USDA New England Field Office, "New England Berries, Tree Fruit and Grapes, 2018 Report" BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION IN MAINE 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 $0 $10M $20M $30M $40M $50M $60M $70M Harvested amount (millions of pounds) Dollar value of production

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