Topics in this issue of Blues Update:
- From the Chair: Celebrating Momentum Across NABC
- NABC Launches Blueberry Variety Modernization Task Force
- NABC Federal PAC Takes Next Step With Board Appointments, Leadership Elections
- USTR Highlights Blueberry Trade Barriers in 2026 National Trade Estimate Report
- Farm Bill Momentum Continues as House Leaders Target Late April Floor Vote
- USHBC Awarded $850,000 in AFTPP Funding
- Just Released: The 2025 NABC Impact Report
- Registration for The 2026 Blueberry Convention Is Open!
- Member Webinar: How Autonomous Ag Is Changing the Blueberry Industry
- Supplier Members: Solutions for the Blueberry Industry
- Industry Pulse: Thoughts, Perspectives, Observations From Across the Industry
- Member Exclusive: Download the Updated 2025-2026 NABC Crop Report
- CBP Launches IEEPA Duties Refund System
- Members, Don’t Miss Weekly NABC Crop Reports
- Welcome Our Newest Members
From the Chair: Celebrating Momentum Across NABC
By Teddy Koukoulis
NABC Chair
This month, one thing I’m celebrating is the release of the 2025 NABC Impact Report. This document is more than a recitation of data, it’s a testament to the collective goals we achieved last year – and there are many!
The report highlights a year of significant milestones in government affairs, data and insights development, and membership growth. And it serves as a clear reflection of what we can achieve when we align our resources toward the NABC’s mission to be the united voice, advocate and resource serving the interests of our members.
Our strength as a council is directly tied to the engagement of our members, so I’m thrilled to share that in 2026 we have achieved a retention rate of over 90%, and our total membership has reached the highest level in NABC’s history.
This enthusiasm to renew, and our membership growth, confirms that the value we’ve developed and the organization we’ve become is working. Whether through our advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., or our work to help members navigate today’s opportunities and challenges to ensure a bright future for our members, the momentum we’re building is undeniable.
To ensure we continue this upward trajectory and remain responsive to the needs of our diverse membership, the NABC recently established a new Membership Committee. I’ve appointed a dedicated group of leaders to this committee to ensure every constituency we represent has a seat at the table.
I encourage each of you to continue supporting our efforts to welcome new members into the organization. After all, a well-resourced and unified organization provides a more powerful voice for the blueberry industry!
NABC Launches Blueberry Variety Modernization Task Force
NABC has launched the Blueberry Variety Modernization Task Force, a new initiative focused on addressing a long-standing challenge impacting the competitiveness of U.S. blueberry growers – the high cost of replanting to new, high-performing varieties.
Blueberries are a long-term investment, and staying competitive requires continual evaluation and adoption of innovative varieties that deliver strong yields and consistent quality to meet evolving consumer demands, all while remaining profitable. However, the significant upfront costs of removing and replanting acreage are a major barrier in today’s economic environment.
The Blueberry Variety Modernization Task Force will address those challenges by exploring a path toward federal support to help offset replanting costs. Specifically, the task force is charged with developing a legislative concept for a federal grant or reimbursement-based program to assist growers in transitioning to more competitive varieties.
The task force will evaluate industry needs and identify key elements of a program that would provide meaningful and practical support to growers, including eligibility criteria, cost-share structures and implementation considerations. In coordination with the NABC Government Affairs Committee, the task force will translate these elements into a draft legislative framework.
NABC Chair Teddy Koukoulis has appointed the following individuals to serve on the task force:
- Ellie Norris, Norris Blueberry Farms, Oregon
- Pat Goin, Goin’s Blueberry Lane, Indiana
- Shelly Hartmann, True Blue Farms, Michigan
- Ernesto Diaz, NuBerry Farms, New Jersey
- Brian Bocock, MBG Marketing, Michigan
- Chad Don, Oasis Farms, Washington
- Anna Jesse, Forest Hill Farms, Oregon
- Cort Brazleton, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Oregon
Shelly Hartmann will serve as the task force chair.
This effort reflects NABC’s proactive approach to strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. blueberry industry and advancing solutions that support growers’ ability to invest in their future.
NABC Federal PAC Takes Next Step With Board Appointments, Leadership Elections
As part of the launch of NABC’s Federal Political Action Committee (PAC), NABC Chair Teddy Koukoulis has appointed a diverse group of industry leaders to serve on the inaugural PAC board. Members will serve until Dec. 31.
The appointees are:
- Brian Bocock, MBG Marketing, Michigan
- Cort Brazelton, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Oregon
- Ernesto Diaz, Walk Brothers, Michigan
- Chad Hansen, North Bay Produce, California
- Michael Hill, H&A Farms, Florida
- Teddy Koukoulis, Gator Blueberries, Florida
- Brittany Lee, Florida Blue Farms, Florida
- Ellie Norris, Norris Farms, Oregon
- Brandon Raso, Variety Farms, New Jersey
- Bo Slack, California Giant Berry Farms, Washington
The PAC board recently held its first organizational meeting, during which members elected Michael Hill of H&A Farms in Florida as chair, and Chad Hansen of North Bay Produce in Michigan as vice chair. Their leadership will be instrumental in guiding the PAC’s early strategy and growth.
To support the PAC’s operations, NABC staff will serve in key roles, including Alyssa Houtby as director and assistant treasurer, and Shaun Rundle as secretary. In addition, the PAC board has appointed legal counsel to serve as treasurer, ensuring full compliance with all Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations.
The establishment of a PAC is a major advancement for the blueberry industry and the NABC’s efforts, and is directly aligned with our expanded government affairs efforts. The PAC will strengthen NABC’s ability to engage in the political process, build relationships with key policymakers and ensure that the voices of U.S. blueberry growers are represented in the halls of Congress.
We look forward to sharing more information about the NABC PAC and how NABC members can get involved in the months ahead.
USTR Highlights Blueberry Trade Barriers in 2026 National Trade Estimate Report
In a positive development for the U.S. blueberry industry, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has directly referenced challenges facing blueberry exports in its 2026 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report, published on March 31. Recognition in the NTE report signals that blueberry trade barriers are on the federal government’s radar and part of ongoing trade negotiations.
The annual NTE report outlines significant foreign trade barriers impacting U.S. exports and details how the administration is working to address nonreciprocal practices to create a more level playing field for American producers. NABC’s engagement ensured that blueberries were specifically cited – an important step in elevating the industry’s priorities within federal trade policy discussions.
In its comments to USTR, NABC emphasized the urgency of addressing these trade barriers:
“These barriers continue to limit U.S. blueberry exports in key markets, including Australia, Canada, Chile, the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Addressing these barriers is critical to expanding export opportunities, strengthening the U.S. position in global markets and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of American blueberry growers.”
The NTE report identifies Japan as a critical export market where barriers persist. While the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement reduced or eliminated tariffs on many agricultural products, key categories – including frozen blueberries – remain subject to tariffs that constrain growth. This recognition is particularly significant as the explicit inclusion of frozen blueberries underscores the importance of continued advocacy.
The NTE also highlights ongoing efforts to expand U.S. blueberry access to South Korea. Encouragingly, the report notes meaningful progress in bilateral engagement. In late 2025, Korea established a dedicated “U.S. Desk” within its Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) to expedite the review of U.S. horticultural export requests — including blueberries. This development reflects sustained U.S. government efforts to address longstanding access barriers and improve timelines for approvals.
NABC will continue building on this momentum to expand market access and strengthen export opportunities for U.S. blueberry growers.
Farm Bill Momentum Continues as House Leaders Target Late April Floor Vote
House leadership is signaling “full steam ahead” on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 – more commonly known as the Farm Bill – with a House floor vote expected the week of April 27.
The anticipated floor vote follows a public push from President Trump who weighed in on Truth Social urging Congress to “PASS THE FARM BILL, NOW!,” adding momentum to move the legislation forward quickly. At the same time, lawmakers are under increasing pressure to deliver a comprehensive Farm Bill that strengthens the farm safety net and supports the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture. However, securing additional Democratic support will be critical to ensuring it passes the House floor – particularly as top Democratic leaders, including House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Andie Craig, are reportedly actively whipping against the bill.
In a statement following committee passage, Craig said, “The Republican majority instead chose to ignore Democratic priorities and focus on pushing a shell of a Farm Bill with poison pills that complicates, if not derails, chances of getting anything done.”
Against this backdrop, NABC is continuing to emphasize the importance of timely passage and the real-world impact on blueberry growers.
In advance of the floor vote, NABC issued a statement urging lawmakers to vote for the bill:
“NABC strongly urges the House to swiftly pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and deliver long-overdue certainty to America’s farmers. For blueberry growers and the broader specialty crop sector, Farm Bill programs are essential to long-term competitiveness and sustainability. This legislation takes meaningful steps to strengthen the safety net through improvements to the Tree Assistance Program, enhancements to crop insurance and the establishment of a Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework. At a time of unprecedented
USHBC Awarded $850,000 in AFTPP Funding
The USHBC has been awarded a $850,000 grant from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP).
The AFTPP was established to strengthen the position of American agriculture in the global marketplace. The program is a precursor to larger supplemental funding coming in fiscal year 2027 from the Working Families Tax Cuts.
For the blueberry industry, this $850,000 injection will be a primary catalyst for:
- Increasing our presence in high-growth regions where demand for premium, health-focused fruit is surging.
- Building on the success of recent missions, such as our outreach in the Philippines, to forge lasting partnerships with importers, distributors, retailers and the media.
- Promoting the benefits of USA Blueberries to consumers worldwide.
“USDA’s market development programs have a proven record of delivering for our farmers, ranchers and producers,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Partnering with industry opens new doors for trade, strengthening our position in the global marketplace and advancing the administration’s priority of keeping American agriculture competitive, resilient and ready to meet growing global demand.”
Created 25 years ago to grow the blueberry category, the USHBC exists to give more consumers in the U.S more reasons to buy more blueberries,expand demand for U.S. blueberries in global markets and equip the industry for success.
The USHBC maintains a robust international market development program aimed at expanding global demand for U.S. blueberries through targeted trade and consumer initiatives. Priority markets include South Korea, Japan, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. All activities are strategically designed to build awareness, drive preference and increase sales of U.S. blueberry products across both fresh and processed categories.
Just Released: The 2025 NABC Impact Report
The 2025 NABC Impact Report is now available.
2025 was the year our blueprint became a breakthrough as our strategic vision turned into tangible results for the blueberry industry in areas including:
- Advocacy for members
- Growth in MOU support
- Data and insights
- Programs and events
- Membership and more
Check it out now to explore the milestones of the past year and see how we’re positioning the blueberry industry for a strong future.
Registration for The 2026 Blueberry Convention Is Open!
Registration and housing for The 2026 Blueberry Convention, Sept. 22-25 in Monterey, California, are now open!
The Blueberry Convention is the largest gathering of the blueberry industry in the U.S. You’ll want to be there to:
- Discover cutting-edge advancements and industry tech.
- Hear the latest economic outlook, and get category data and insights.
- Learn about the results of our Blueberries GO BIG campaign efforts.
- Get up to speed on our health research projects.
- Meet the people behind the products and solutions on Blueberry Lane.
- NEW: USHBC Council and NABC Board meetings on Wednesday.
Sign up today to take advantage of early-bird pricing, plus book your room within our discounted room block at the Hyatt Regency Monterey.
Member Webinar: How Autonomous Ag Is Changing the Blueberry Industry
NABC members have exclusive access to educational webinars on critical topics impacting the industry.
On April 30 at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET, the team from Burro will present “From Bush to Bin: How Autonomous Harvest Assist, Spraying and Mowing Support Workflows in Blueberry Operations.”
During this one-hour session, Chris Thiesen, director of enterprise sales, will walk participants through the many ways autonomy is overhauling blueberry operations. From mowing rows and precision spraying weeds to harvest assist, you’ll learn how Burro can adapt to existing workflows to reduce back-and-forth, support crews and move more product.
As you know, in blueberry operations, it’s often the “rinse-and-repeat” work that slows things down – harvesting, hauling, spraying eats up daylight hours and wears crews down. Discover how Burro can step in to support systems and workers with rugged autonomy designed to integrate like a co-worker and scale crews by automating tedious tasks.
Reserve your spot today.
Supplier Members: Solutions for the Blueberry Industry
Did you know NABC has more than 30 active supplier members helping serve the blueberry industry? These member companies provide equipment, materials and services that support blueberry businesses across the supply chain.
Whether you are looking to improve efficiency on the farm, solve operational challenges, explore new technologies or find trusted service partners, supplier members can be a valuable resource.
From farm operations to business support, these companies offer solutions that can help address real needs across the industry. We’re proud to have them as part of the NABC membership network and encourage you to explore the current list of active supplier members.
Industry Pulse: Thoughts, Perspectives, Observations From Across the Industry
Welcome to Industry Pulse, a new space in the newsletter to share quick thoughts, perspectives and observations from across the blueberry industry.
Each month, we’ll ask a simple question and feature responses from members to help highlight what’s top of mind across our network.
This month’s question: What’s one thing you’re keeping a close eye on this season?
- “I’m closely watching how the market responds to Florida’s short crop. Tight early supply is already supporting stronger pricing, and the key question is whether that strength holds as other regions come online.” – Brittany Lee, Florida Blue Farm (Gainesville, Florida)
- “I’m watching how Peruvian supply will influence the Pacific Northwest’s late season, particularly from a volume and pricing standpoint. I’m also watching how naming specific blueberry varieties at retail will influence the industry and shape future consumer demand.” – Chad Don, Oasis Farms Inc. (Prosser, Washington)
Member Exclusive: Download the Updated 2025-2026 NABC Crop Report
One of the many benefits of NABC membership is access to exclusive data and insights, and member-only reports.
That’s why we’re excited to share a fully updated version of the NABC 2025-2026 Crop Report that was released at The Blueberry Hill Climb and Industry Meetings in Washington, D.C.
Inside you’ll find:
- Up-to-date data and insights on domestic U.S. production.
- Current data and insights on import production.
- An analysis of fresh vs. processed production, and more.
Check out this exclusive report to get the full season’s estimates and follow the trends in overall production. To view the report, visit nabc.blueberry.org/all-resources/data-and-reports/ and select the NABC Spring 2026 Crop Report. You must be logged in to view the report.
CBP Launches IEEPA Duties Refund System
On April 20, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched Phase 1 of its tariff refund tool in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal, providing the first operational framework for processing refunds of duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), following the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20 decision invalidating those tariffs.
Under Phase 1, Importers of Record (IORs) and licensed customs brokers can now submit CAPE Declarations through ACE. Once a declaration is accepted, the system automatically removes the IEEPA-related Chapter 99 tariff provision and recalculates duties accordingly. CBP has indicated that valid refunds will generally be issued within 60-90 days of acceptance, subject to compliance review.
However, the current rollout is limited in scope. Phase 1 applies only to certain unliquidated entries and entries within 80 days of liquidation. Notably, finally liquidated entries are not yet eligible. CBP has stated that additional phases will expand eligibility, but no timeline has been provided.
The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) is continuing to oversee implementation. The court has directed CBP to submit a progress report on Phase 1 by April 28, 2026, followed by a closed settlement conference that same day.
What Importers Should Do Now
Companies that paid IEEPA duties over the past year should take several proactive steps to position themselves for timely refunds:
- Confirm ACH enrollment and Form 4811 designations within the ACE portal.
- Compile entry data in a CSV-ready format to enable prompt CAPE submission.
- Monitor developments following the April 28 court filing for updates on future refund phases.
For more information, including answers to commonly asked questions, visit the CBP’s IEEPA Duty Refunds webpage. You can also visit NABC’s Trade Resources webpage for ongoing updates.
Members, Don’t Miss Weekly NABC Crop Reports
Access to audio and print versions of weekly crop reports is an exclusive NABC member benefit!
Log in today to hear or read the latest from growers.
Thank you to our dedicated growers and community members who generously contribute their time and insights to these valuable reports every week.
Welcome Our Newest Members
NABC membership pays dividends by giving your operation a seat at the table. From advocacy to data and insights, to events, NABC membership ensures you have the resources you need to help your business bloom.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest members:
- Black River Blues (Grower)
- Whitaker Marketing Group (Supplier)
- Kansas City Food Hub (Retail)
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Researcher)
- Laura Baldwin (Affiliate)
Know someone who would benefit from NABC membership? Encourage them to join today!