Wild blueberries are going to be much harder to find—and more expensive—this
Wild blueberries may be tougher to find this summer, and Ontario shoppers are already noticing
summerWild blueberry lovers may want to keep a close eye on their fave markets this summer, because the tiny blue gems could be facing a tighter (and maybe even pricier) year across Canada.
In Ontario, blueberries are typically available from early July through September, although availability can shift by several weeks depending on the variety and weather conditions.
According to a recent blueberry market update from Chelmer Foods, supply conditions for Canadian wild blueberries are expected to remain constrained in 2026, with “production projected to remain below the long‑term average, while available buffer inventories are limited,” mainly due to the extreme weather from last year.
And because wild blueberries sold in Ontario may come through broader Canadian supply chains, conditions in major producing hubs like Atlantic Canada and Quebec can also affect what shoppers see here. According to the report, severe drought conditions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick led to a major reduction in yields, with harvest volumes estimated at 55% to 70% below the three-year average, while early forecasts suggest Quebec’s 2026 production could be lower than last year. Frozen stock levels are also declining, the report says, putting more pressure on processors and buyers.
Then there’s the price tag: Because there aren’t as many Canadian wild blueberries available, prices are likely to stay firm instead of dropping. The report suggests that wild blueberry prices are “expected to remain firm into the 2026/27 contracting season,” especially if the 2026 crop doesn’t clearly bounce back.
And it seems that shoppers across Canada have already noticed some spotty availability.
In a recent Reddit thread, users complained about not finding frozen wild blueberries at their local Vancouver-based Costco warehouse. Several Ontario commenters chimed in, with one user saying, “They told me they were back ordered when I went yesterday,” while another said they had “checked multiple locations in GTA” and found them “all sold out.” Other shoppers said they had spotted wild blueberries in store, but at higher prices, including one who said they saw them in Guelph “for $20!!!”
And while wild blueberries may be a little harder to track down at times throughout the season, blueberry lovers can still make a summer day of it with a pick-your-own trip (many farms near Toronto grow cultivated blueberries, not wild ones!).
Here are some of the best farms to pick your own blueberries near Toronto.
