The prolonged summer drought across eastern Canada has cut wild blueberry yields dramatically, with this year’s harvest forecast at about 20 million tonnes — roughly a 70% drop from the three‑year average of 68 million tonnes. Growers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec report major financial losses and are seeking short‑term aid. Scientists link warmer winters and drier summers to rising greenhouse gas emissions, and experts urge a shift toward more sustainable, resilience‑focused farming practices.
Eastern Canada’s Wild Blueberry Harvest Collapses by 70% After Prolonged Summer Drought
The prolonged summer drought across eastern Canada has cut wild blueberry yields dramatically, with this year’s harvest forecast at about 20 million tonnes — roughly a 70% drop from the three‑year average of 68 million tonnes. Growers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec report major financial losses and are seeking short‑term aid. Scientists link warmer winters and drier summers to rising greenhouse gas emissions, and experts urge a shift toward more sustainable, resilience‑focused farming practices.
01:32 PM, 11/16/2025Environment
Eastern Canada’s wild blueberry crop hit hard by drought
Farmers across eastern Canada are facing severe losses after a prolonged, unusually dry summer sharply reduced yields of wild blueberries, a key export crop. Wild blueberry operations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec have been particularly affected by the lack of rainfall.
Industry figures show this year’s harvest is expected to be roughly 20 million tonnes, a decline of about 70% compared with the three‑year average of 68 million tonnes. The shortfall has left growers facing major financial strain and potential impacts on export supply.
“This year has been tremendously dry and we haven't really seen this in a long time,”
— Donald Arseneault, general manager, NB Blueberries group
Wild blueberries differ from cultivated varieties: they are smaller, have a more concentrated flavor, tend to be higher in antioxidants and contain less sugar. Rather than being planted in rows, wild blueberries grow on natural stands that farmers manage and harvest. Because a cold winter is important to their lifecycle, Canada is the world’s leading producer of wild blueberries; in the United States, Maine accounts for about 99% of national production.
Growers and researchers warn that warmer winters and drier summers — trends linked by scientists to rising concentrations of heat‑trapping greenhouse gases from human activity — pose significant risks to the sector. The industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the Canadian economy, and repeated extreme weather events can undermine both short‑term incomes and long‑term viability.
In the near term, many producers are seeking government assistance, crop insurance payouts and other emergency support to cover immediate losses. Longer‑term responses being discussed include diversifying production, investing in conservation agriculture, improving soil health, exploring irrigation and drainage where feasible, and breeding or selecting varieties with greater drought resilience.
Consumers may see tighter supplies and upward pressure on prices while growers, researchers and policymakers consider how best to build resilience into supply chains. Some advocates also point to the benefits of local food systems and home gardening as ways to reduce reliance on long supply chains and increase community resilience.
What’s next
Experts say a combination of short‑term financial aid, improved risk management for farmers and a strategic shift toward more sustainable and climate‑resilient practices will be needed to protect wild blueberry production in the face of changing weather patterns.