Is there really a black market for blueberries?

Representatives of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Maine Farm Bureau want to find out.

The two organizations are teaming to hold a forum next week to discuss problems related to the theft and illegal sale of blueberries Down East.

“I would characterize the problem as ongoing,” David Bell, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission, said Thursday. “It’s definitely an issue this industry has seen in recent years, but it ebbs and flows. It always becomes more acute when the price of blueberries increases.”

While the average price for blueberries in 2007 has not been released, last year’s average of 81 cents a pound was 15 cents higher than the year before, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.

“Due in part to our effort to communicate and promote the health benefits, we’ve had increased demand, and in turn, increased prices,” Bell said.

Martha Black, program coordinator for the Washington-Hancock counties chapter of the Maine Farm Bureau, added, “With the price being higher, the losses are even more significant to the producers.”

The forum will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, at the Columbia Falls town office and will be open to the public.

“We’ve invited law enforcement agencies, the local district attorney, producers and processors, so we hope to have a varied group of attendees,” Black said.

The purpose is to get ideas on possible changes to state statutes related to crop thefts, according to Bell.

Laws already are in place designed to deter thefts. The state Department of Agriculture, for instance, requires growers and distributors to keep transport numbers and requires certificates for those transporting berries to guard against the sale of stolen fruit.

Bell said more might need to be done.

“I would say the vast majority of receiving stations are doing a good job, but maybe there are some that could do a better job,” he said. “We understand that it’s a challenge.”

The number of thefts reported by Down East blueberry farmers this year is not clear. In August, Cherryfield Foods was prepared to offer a $5,000 reward for information related to blueberry thefts that led to an arrest.

Many more growers and producers have increased their own security measures to combat thefts, but others simply don’t have the resources.

“Someone could go out and easily rake 1,000 pounds in a night, and because these barrens are in pretty remote areas, people may not notice,” Bell said.