On a vast blueberry farm in Franklin County, Washington, rows of bushes stretch out extensively. "This variety is Draper," stated Ray Biln, whose family owns this farm. Washington stands as a leading blueberry producer in the U.S., yet much of the fruit is processed in Canada before returning to the U.S. market. The Trump administration's tariffs pose potential disruptions to this cross-border industry.
Biln's farm requires about 800 workers for harvesting. "Our decisions affect other people," Biln noted, emphasizing the importance of managing tariffs. "That's why it's important to maintain balance and try to make the best decisions within the current situation," he added. The Biln family owns additional farms in both the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the industry's interdependence.
Most Washington blueberries are packaged in British Columbia, returning as U.S. products, potentially facing tariffs twice. "You know, we have projects on hold right now on both sides of the border," Biln remarked.
Approximately 40 million pounds of Washington blueberries are sent to Canada annually for processing. As berries ripen in midsummer, they must be sold quickly. Tariffs could lead to processing and storage challenges. "We're going to have a huge oversupply," said Paul Sangha, a grower in northern Washington. He envisions an August with excess berries in his shipping yard.
Alyssa Houtby, director of the North American Blueberry Council, anticipates some tariff relief. "We want tariffs addressed in Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan," Houtby stated, as these countries import significant amounts of U.S. cranberries.
Source: Blueberries Consulting