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Severe weather causes NC blueberry shortage, drives up cost

North Carolina produces 40 to 50 million pounds of blueberries each year. Half of that comes from Bladen County, where severe weather dealt a blow to farmers.

RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s a good time to check out the bounty of the state’s farmers’ markets and their locally grown produce. Many come to buy blueberries, but the "superfood" fruit took a big hit in one part of the state. It led to a shortage.

"I think we still have half a crop in that southeastern North Carolina region," said North Carolina State University blueberry specialist Bill Cline. A half crop in the southeast region is a big hit to the state’s overall supply.

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North Carolina produces an average of 40 to 50 million pounds of blueberries a year. Half of that production comes from Bladen County where growers suffered a rare 1-2 punch.

Cline says the economic impact on growers was significant and now the domino effect is raising prices for consumers.

Click here to read more from WRAL.

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