News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Nearly 1,520 hectares (3,800 acres) of Crown land identified for wild blueberry development is now available for lease through a request for proposals.

“The time is right to unlock the potential of New Brunswick’s wild blueberry industry, which creates both full-time and seasonal employment opportunities in rural communities and injects millions of dollars into our economy,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. “This is an excellent opportunity for our producers to play a hands-on role in expanding the industry, strengthening our economy and creating valuable jobs for New Brunswickers so that they can support their families.”

The Crown lands being offered through lease for the commercial cultivation of wild blueberries are located in Gloucester and Northumberland counties. A total of 39 sites are being offered, ranging in size from about 25 hectares to 57 hectares. Four sites have been set aside for new entrant applications.

The RFP can be accessed online through the New Brunswick Opportunities Network. Choose “Browse Tenders and Awards” from the right-side menu. Registration is required and is free.

Interested parties can also attend an upcoming information session:

• Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Deux Rivières Resort, 100 Deux Rivières St., Tracadie.

• Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Rodd Inn Miramichi, 1809 Water St., Miramichi.

The information sessions will offer presentation materials in both official languages.

“We are working to fulfilling the commitment to local producers of identifying 2,240 hectares (5,600 acres) of Crown land for wild blueberry development,” said Doucet. “This offering of Crown land positions New Brunswick to become the largest producer of wild blueberries in the world. This industry has enormous potential for fueling economic growth in our province, particularly when you consider that the value of production at the farm gate has more than tripled over the last decade.”

More than 300 farm families are involved in New Brunswick’s wild blueberry industry, with more than 16,000 hectares (39,520 acres) of land currently devoted to producing the crop. More than 60 million pounds are produced annually in New Brunswick, accounting for 25 per cent of Canada’s overall production of the fruit.

In 2014, the economic impact of the wild blueberry industry in New Brunswick was estimated at $33 million in farm cash receipts.