Global Produce & Floral Show: Blueberries
Blueberries are going bold as suppliers bring new varieties, smarter packaging and snack-ready innovation to the Global Produce & Floral Show.
Naturipe Farms has been part of this trade show for more than 25 years. At the event, company leaders are eager to showcase how Naturipe Farms drives innovation and propels the industry’s growth.
“It’s the biggest show in our industry, making it an important opportunity to connect face-to-face with retailers and other industry partners,” said Jim Roberts, President of Naturipe Farms. “It’s also a chance for us to showcase what makes Naturipe different and demonstrate our leadership in innovation. We’re proud of our proprietary varieties and the work we’re doing to bring new products and ideas to the market. The show gives us a platform to put that innovation front and center while connecting with the retailers who help bring our products to consumers. It’s also a great place to talk about where the industry is headed, particularly the growing demand for convenient, better-for-you snacking, and how Naturipe is answering that call. For us, it’s about showing, not just telling, how we’re continuing to innovate and lead the industry forward.”
Kasey Cronquist, US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and North American Blueberry Council (NABC) President, said, “USHBC has a great story to share, and the IFPA event is an ideal place to share it. The blueberry industry created USHBC 26 years ago to grow the entire category, and it’s working. We want retailers to know that blueberries not only generate strong sales but also attract valuable shoppers and create growth across the entire produce department. No other organization can do for the industry what USHBC can do and our work has never been more important than it is today. The blueberry category now generates over $4 billion in annual retail sales with fresh blueberry dollar sales growing 6.6% this past year, nearly four times faster than the overall produce category. In addition to educating retailers about our momentum and potential, the show also presents us with an opportunity to bring key blueberry industry leaders together for valuable conversations and to celebrate our collective success. That’s exactly what we do at our World’s Favorite Fruit Reception, which we’re proud to say has become one of the more popular ‘after-show’ stops each year.”
Beyond food, some suppliers are concentrating on types of blueberries along with packaging innovations to enhance produce visibility and appeal at retail.
“We have a lot we’re excited to showcase this year, including new packaging for our premium blueberry varieties,” Roberts said. “Mighty Blues, Mighty Reds and Sweet Selections continue to be a big part of our premium offerings, and we’re really proud to give these products an even stronger presence on shelf. We’re also happy to report back that SnackBites, which we debuted at last year’s show, has had an amazing first year. We’re seeing more retailers make space for the product every month, and it’s been great to see the response as SnackBites continues to reach more shoppers.”
“Blueberries reached a record $3.8 billion in retail sales in 2025, but we believe the category still has tremendous room to grow,” Cronquist said. “At this year’s show, USHBC will demonstrate how we plan to convert that momentum into greater purchase frequency, household penetration and retail sales. We’ll showcase the results of some of our 2026 demand-driving programs and give buyers and marketers a first look at our 2027 consumer campaigns, retail activations and creative plans. The continued growth of snacking, changing eating habits associated with GLP-1 medications and the Presidential administration’s focus on real food are raising important questions for retailers about what consumers will want next. Blueberries offer a compelling answer and we want to show retailers how USHBC will help translate these major consumer and societal trends into practical programs that create new blueberry-eating occasions and drive incremental sales.”
The USHBC is focusing on its latest campaign designed to bring stakeholders together. “Our goal is to rally retailers and unite blueberry marketers around USHBC’s award-winning Blueberries Go Big campaign and the broader efforts supporting it,” Cronquist said. “We want to come alongside our retail partners with the consumer, health and category insights, practical resources and creative spark that can energize their teams and help them capitalize on the growing momentum behind blueberries. Our booth will give buyers and marketers a first look at our 2027 campaigns and retail activations, along with the latest findings from our consumer and health research. We want retailers to see how changing consumer attitudes and eating habits are creating new opportunities for blueberries and how USHBC can help translate those opportunities into effective merchandising, marketing and promotional programs.”
Education is essential for shoppers seeking premium blueberries. “Premium varieties will without a doubt be a big part of the conversation,” Roberts commented. “We’ve seen that shoppers are willing to spend more on premium produce when they know the quality matches the price, and blueberries keep getting better and better. There’s a real opportunity to turn more shoppers into repeat buyers by giving them a consistently great eating experience. We truly want to deliver an elevated eating experience across all of the Naturipe family of products.”
He added, “We’ll also continue to see a focus on innovation within the snacking category. Shoppers want healthy, convenient ways to snack throughout the day without having to compromise on quality or flavor. Products like SnackBites and Berry Buddies fill that gap, and we’re excited to keep building on that part of our portfolio.”
Naturipe Farms’ range of fresh and frozen berries reflects the qualities consumers are increasingly seeking in stores.
“There are so many options when you walk into a grocery store today, and people don’t want to have to overthink every purchase,” Roberts said. “They’re looking for approachable, healthy, high-quality options that taste great and don’t come with an ingredient list a mile long. That’s exactly why we continue to invest in premium varieties and value-added snacks that give people more ways to enjoy berries while still fitting naturally into their day-to-day lives.”
