The haskap industry

Quantity and evolution

An ever-expanding crop

Haskap bushes were first planted in Québec in 2007 and the first commercial harvests were in 2012. Although the production is still considered to be a new phenomenon, over one million haskap bushes have been planted throughout all regions of Québec on over 150 farms.

While about half of the province’s haskap plants can be found in the region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, producers can be found across Québec. The annual haskap berry production is now estimated at 350 000 kg.

This is a remarkable annual increase considering that the first plants were only planted in 2007. Québec is the Canadian province which produces the most haskap.

Source : MAPAQ, Direction régionale du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

Markets and commercialization

Slightly less than half of the Québec haskap harvest is conditioned by berry freezing plants. The other half is sold through short circuit markets (directly to consumers, U-pick, etc.). Development of agrotourism around haskap has increased greatly over the last few years.