Status of blueberry production in china

China is poised to make a substantial leap in blueberry production within the next ten years. This paper reviews the history of blueberry introduction and evaluation in China, current distribution, potential growing areas, the species and cultivars involved, propagation studies, production and projected market potential. Rabbiteye varieties introduced in 1987 to the Nanjing Botanical Garden have many years of production data. Nursery propagation and multiplication is a success. Rabbiteye blueberries with over 10 years of evaluation include Baldwin, Brightwell, Centurion, Choice, Climax, Delite, Gardenblue, Powderblue, Premier, Tifblue, and Woodard. There are many regions in the Southern belt of China adapted to blueberries, provided specific soil and climatic preferences are present. The potential for a large domestic fresh and processed blueberry industry appears enormous. Economic gains in China and the entire Pacific rim has resulted in a large population of health-conscious citizens with disposable income. China appears uniquely poised in the region to greatly expand production. This paper will review a number of business efforts underway—both private and joint ventures—that will soon reach full commercial production.