Blueberries grow well in Aotearoa. This is because of the flat or rolling terrain with nutrient-rich, acidic soil.
Priority
Indicator
This factsheet describes the key things you'll need to think about if you're considering growing blueberries on your whenua.
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How to use this information safely
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The information provided is indicative only. Its purpose is to support initial conversations and for screening and scoping land use options at a local area level, but it is less accurate at the scale of an individual farm. If you want to make land use change decisions for your specific farm or land block you should conduct further feasibility assessments with a suitably qualified consultant.
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The climate in Aotearoa is well-suited to growing blueberries.
Growing blueberries is more favourable in Waikato. Blueberries can be grown on a variety of slopes but are best suited to flat or gently rolling whenua and prefer acidic soil conditions.
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Using this information safely
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The information on this page is indicative only. You can safely use this information for conversations and for screening and scoping land use options at a local area level, but it is less accurate at the scale of an individual farm. If you want to make land use change decisions for your specific farm or land block you should conduct further investigations or consult an expert.
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About the crop suitability model
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The information on this page is based on crop suitability models created by researchers at Plant and Food Research in 2021. They used climate data from NIWA and land data from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research to create the models and then weighted and fine-tuned the results with the help of horticultural experts and industry data.
It is important to understand that the information on this page is indicative only and does not take into account things like existing land uses or pest and disease risk. It also does not take into account rainfall, so even if the model says your rōhe is suitable for a land use you may still need to consider irrigation and drainage. Because the data is averaged out over a grid it may not take into account small land features or local climate variations.
If you’re comfortable using data and mapping tools or you’d like to explore more about Whitiwhiti Ora and their datasets, visit their website.
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This table shows a per hectare breakdown of how suitable your whenua is to grow blueberries.
This table shows different greenhouse gas emission scenarios and the possible impact on the suitability of your whenua to grow blueberries.
| Low emissions |
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| Moderate emissions |
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| High emissions |
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| No mitigations |
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| Low emissions |
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| Moderate emissions |
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| High emissions |
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| No mitigations |
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The potential yield for blueberries is the most berries that can be harvested from your whenua. This is with ideal growing conditions and proper farming.
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Using this information safely
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The information on this page is indicative only. You can safely use this information for conversations and for screening and scoping land use options at a local area level, but it is less accurate at the scale of an individual farm. If you want to make land use change decisions for your specific farm or land block you should conduct further investigations or consult an expert.
-
-
About the crop suitability model
-
The information on this page is based on crop suitability models created by researchers at Plant and Food Research in 2021. They used climate data from NIWA and land data from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research to create the models and then weighted and fine-tuned the results with the help of horticultural experts and industry data. Crop yield values were estimated by experts using published data.
It is important to understand that the information on this page is indicative only and does not take into account things like existing land uses or pest and disease risk. It also does not take into account rainfall, so even if the model says your rōhe is suitable for a land use you may still need to consider irrigation and drainage. Because the data is averaged out over a grid it may not take into account small land features or local climate variations.
If you’re comfortable using data and mapping tools or you’d like to explore more about Whitiwhiti Ora and their datasets, visit their website.
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This table shows a per hectare breakdown of the potential yield of blueberries on your whenua.
Setting up a profitable blueberry operation can take several years. Blueberry growers can expect high upfront costs.
Your profitability can be influenced by:
- maximising yields through good (and bad) growing conditions
- efficient operations, including managing costs
- understanding your market and developing market relationships
- setting performance measure(s) and tracking performance.
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Using this information safely
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Economic factors are highly dependent on management practices and market conditions so the information on this page is indicative only. You can safely use this information for conversations and for screening and scoping land use options at a regional level, but it is not accurate at the scale of an individual farm. If you want to make land use change decisions for your specific farm or land block you should conduct further investigations or consult an expert.
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About the information
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The information on this page was developed by LWP Ltd based on published economic data from industry bodies and crop suitability models created by researchers at Plant and Food Research in 2021. The underlying yield and production values are estimates based on a number of assumptions and do not take into account quality control or pest and disease impacts. FTE values were calculated using a standard cost assumption of $52,345/FTE.
If you’re comfortable using data and mapping tools or you’d like to explore more about Whitiwhiti Ora and their datasets, visit their website.
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Growing blueberries need skilled and unskilled workers on a seasonal basis. This workforce will help with planting and harvesting, as well as pest management and crop cycles.
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Using this information safely
-
Economic factors are highly dependent on management practices and market conditions so the information on this page is indicative only. You can safely use this information for conversations and for screening and scoping land use options at a regional level, but it is not accurate at the scale of an individual farm. If you want to make land use change decisions for your specific farm or land block you should conduct further investigations or consult an expert.
-
-
About the information
-
The information on this page was developed by LWP Ltd based on published economic data from industry bodies and crop suitability models created by researchers at Plant and Food Research in 2021. The underlying yield and production values are estimates based on a number of assumptions and do not take into account quality control or pest and disease impacts. FTE values were calculated using a standard cost assumption of $52,345/FTE.
If you’re comfortable using data and mapping tools or you’d like to explore more about Whitiwhiti Ora and their datasets, visit their website.
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