Estimation of the Economic Efficiency of Blueberry According to the Production System

Abstract

Abstract Currently, the blueberry crop systems are continuous diversifing due to the growing demand for fruit on the market as well as the willingness of farmers to invest in profitable blueberries business. The need to extend the fresh-consumption period of blueberry fruits has made crop protection systems be considered appropriate for high-quality and valuable fruits. In the present work, we have proposed to compare the economic efficiency of three blueberry production systems as follows: the normal intensive cultural system in beds, the superintensive cultural system in pots and the superintensive cultural system in pots and plastic covered (high tunnel). The analyze of the cost and profitability of blueberry has been done according to the crop system, taking into consideration several elements such as: the number of plants per hectare, the total duration of the exploitation, the value of the investment, the yield and the cost of production etc. Further more, considering the average sale price of the blueberry fruits in Romania, we have calculated the net annual return, the annual return rate, the cost recovery period, total operating profit, economic return on investment, and average return on investment. We observed that as much the degree of intensification has increased, the value of investment was higher and the spendings has increased too. Blueberry pot production systems with or without plastic protection are especially recommended for smaller surfaces, which in this way can boost the value and their economic potential.