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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #279411
Title: Emergence of blackberry as a world crop

Author
item Finn, Chad
item CLARK, JOHN - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Chronica Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2011
Publication Date: 8/1/2011
Citation: Finn, C.E., Clark, J.R. 2011. Emergence of blackberry as a world crop. Chronica Horticulturae. 51:13-18.

Interpretive Summary: This paper reviews the expansion of blackberry production from a very small acreage crop to it becoming one of the most important berry crops on the worldwide market.

Technical Abstract: Once thought of as a berry consumed only from wild plants, blackberries (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) have now become a common fruit choice in marketing outlets, particularly in North America and the European Union. Termed the “fourth” berry by some, after the more common strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and red raspberry (R. idaeus L.), blackberries have enjoyed expansion due to a combination of factors, including improved cultivars, expanded marketing efforts and fruit availability, and an overall increase in berry consumption, especially as fresh fruit, in many areas of the world. It is estimated that cultivated blackberries are grown in excess of 25,000 ha.