ORONO – The final figures are in and, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, the now conservative estimate of an above average crop of 75 million pounds of Maine wild blueberries pales in comparison to the final production numbers.

For the first time in history, the harvest reached 110.6 million pounds, smashing an old record of 84 million pounds set in 1992. Producers took advantage of the near-perfect growing and harvesting conditions, and along with optimum production management they were able to increase their production by 68 percent over last year.

Weather played a decisive role in this year’s outstanding crop, according to Dave Yarborough, University of Maine Cooperative Extension blueberry specialist. “The combination of rain last fall, which helped to set the fruit, and the long pollination period this spring, created a lot of potential for a good crop,” he said. “Then, the right amount of rain … mild temperatures throughout August, meant that the fruit grew well and held the quality during a harvest season that lasted well into September.”

Another important contributor to this year’s successful crop was production management. The growers brought in more than 60,000 beehives for pollination. Tony Jadczak, apiarist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, said, “We need to give the bees some of the credit.”

John Sauve, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Association of North America, the organization responsible for promoting Maine and Canadian wild blueberries on a global scale, said the organization will step up its efforts to create stronger demand for wild blueberries.

According to Sauve, building awareness of the blueberry’s status as the number one antioxidant fruit is key in helping increase consumer demand.