Blackberry production area is continuing to expand along the coast of California driven in large part by growing consumption of all of the “minor” berry crops. Market demand for blueberries and raspberries has led the growing consumer demand over the past 10-15 years beyond traditional strawberry. Similarly, over the past 5-10 years, blackberries have also seen increased consumption fueled in large part by the availability of improved varieties.
New varieties with improved productivity, flavor, and post harvest attributes has led much of the growth in demand of blueberries and raspberries and those factors are now contributing to expanding demand for blackberries. Improved eating quality among newer blackberry varieties in particular has been important in expanding consumption.
In a word the berries are sweeter. Consumers are seeing some of the new fruit at SLO and SB farmers markets.
Most of the blackberry crop comes from Mexico but recent trials on the Central Coast over the past several seasons have revealed that of the traditional floricane fruiting blackberries, the Ouachita variety combines good fruit flavor with vigorous, thorn- free plants. Production on Ouachita in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties begins in mid June – just as Mexico is finishing shipments to the US. Some growers are successfully also growing other varieties such as Natchez, Apache, and Triple Crown for fresh markets but Ouachita is a thorn-less, reliable producer.
Article adapted from paper by Mark Gaskell, Specialty Crops Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties