Who Supplies Costco With Blueberries?

Costco doesn't do much in small quantities, and blueberries are no exception. There's something oddly satisfying about seeing a giant container filled to the brim with that little blue fruit, but have you ever stopped to wonder how Costco keeps those containers stocked? You might be picturing one enormous operation responsible for the supply, but this haul is actually widespread and international.

Costco sources its fresh blueberries from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay. One of its suppliers, Naturipe Farms, is a grower-owned company with a network of family farms and growing partners throughout North and South America. The system is designed to provide blueberries year-round, and as Naturipe states on its website, "Our growers carefully select plant varietals based on flavor, texture, and plant performance, as well as the likelihood for varietals to thrive in specific regions."

Another company that has been a Costco blueberry supplier since 2016 is GoodFarms. In other words, Costco's supply isn't coming from one production plant that churns out berries by the Costco-sized truckload. It's a network of growers and suppliers working across multiple regions to keep those giant containers coming.

Blueberries don't grow in the same place year-round, so Costco sources them from different parts of the world as growing seasons change. The timing of those harvests can vary significantly. According to the USDA, fresh blueberry imports are highly seasonal, with Mexico supplying large volumes from February through May and Peru supplying its largest volumes between September and February. Domestic U.S. shipments start increasing in the spring and typically peak during summer. By working with suppliers throughout North and South America, Costco can maintain a more consistent supply of fresh fruit throughout the year.

Of course, sourcing from different regions doesn't guarantee every container will be a winner. As one Reddit user wrote, "Costco blueberries are always hit or miss," adding, "sweet one time sour the next." That said, this produce has earned a permanent spot on some people's Costco shopping lists. The thread's original poster raved about the size: "Giant blueberries! Tried a pack yesterday and went back for 4 more today." If you're more of a frozen-fruit person, Costco has you covered there, too. Its Kirkland Signature Organic Blueberries are individually quick-frozen to preserve their texture, flavor, and freshness.

So, the next time you grab that container for your blueberry lemon overnight oats or a classic berry breakfast parfait, take a peek at the package. Your fruit may have traveled considerably farther than you did to reach your local Costco.