Maine blueberry growers hope for emergency aid to offset nearly $30M loss

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 7, 2025

Extreme weather made for a hard year for Maine’s wild blueberry industry, and the season’s losses have leaders looking for emergency funds to help keep growers in business. Overall, growers brought in about 54.9 million pounds of berries this summer, “a pretty significant loss” that represents close to $30 million in estimated lost income, according to Eric Venturini, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission. Sen. Susan Collins earlier this week asked USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to include Maine wild blueberry growers, apple orchards and hay farmers as it considers releasing emergency funding.