Ridley Bell, a familiar name to many in the blueberry industry, is a pioneering grower in Australia. Bell expanded commercial blueberry production in Australia several years ago, and his research helped develop blueberry genetics that are now used around the world. On this episode, we pick Bell’s brain about blueberries in Australia and the blueberry industry in general. 

Host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Ridley Bell, owner of Mountain Blue Orchards in New South Wales, Australia, and a blueberry genetics pioneer. 

“Don’t ever get away from the humanness [of blueberries] … at the end of the day, it’s going to be the kids saying to mom. ‘Mom, have you got the pint of blueberries?’ That’s where the growth is going to be.” - Ridley Bell

“People are more and more aware these days of their health … [health] is the message that the [blueberry industry] should keep selling.” - Ridley Bell

Topics covered include: 

• Bell’s background and the history of Mountain Blue Orchards. 
• How Bell selected seedlings that were ideal for the Australian growing climate. 
• Improving global blueberry genetics, and what consumers are looking for in blueberries.
• Where does the industry go from here? 

Crop Report

The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mario Ramírez in Mexico, Bill Steed in California, and Eric Stafne in Mississippi. This was recorded on May 12, 2021.

Marketing Boost

On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how QR codes can help marketers quickly and easily share information with consumers across all marketing channels. Go to USHBC.org/QRcodes for more information.