Assessment Resources

Bryan Sakuma

USHBC Chair

“On Oct. 20, 2025, the USHBC Council approved a steering committee recommendation to increase assessment rates to $36/ton for fresh and $30/ton for processed blueberries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now reviewing the proposal, moving through a multi-stage process of public input and final decision-making. The process will take approximately two years, with potential implementation for domestic growers by the 2028 crop year.



Over the course of two years, we had multiple in-person and virtual meetings in all growing states, participated in hundreds of one-on-one conversations, and shared an abundance of data and details relevant to rising supply concerns and the assessment discussion. Tough questions were asked and answered, and compromises were agreed upon. Ultimately, the USHBC Council concluded more resources are needed to allow USHBC to do what the industry created it to do–grow the entire category and make bigger opportunities possible for all of us.”