The mail-in ballots have been tallied in Prince Edward Island with 53 per cent in favour of a marketing plan for wild blueberries. However, the vote’s outcome is shy of the PEI Marketing Council’s 55 per cent threshold.

In a January 16, 2026 letter, Harold MacNevin, chair of Council wrote: “A threshold below 55 per cent could create uncertainty, bypassing a change supported by only a small majority that does not reflect strong consensus. This support does not meet the threshold and therefore the Council does not recommend approval of the proposed marketing plan.” 

Of 139 registered voters, there were 87 eligible ballots submitted on the question: 

• -  I SUPPORT the proposed Marketing Plan for the creation of a Wild Blueberry Growers Commodity Board circulated with this ballot.

• -  I DO NOT SUPPORT the proposed Marketing Plan for the creation of a Wild Blueberry Growers Commodity Board circulated with this ballot

If the plan had gone forward, buyers would be responsible for collecting the levy at point of sale and remitting it to the PEI Wild Blueberry Growers’ Association. 

A plebiscite was held three years ago with different results. At that time, 56 per cent of eligible voters defeated the motion. Provincial authorities recommended changes to the marketing plan. After rethinking the structure and several delays due to postal strikes, the board of directors organized a new vote held on December 5, 2025. Only registered producers and those resident in PEI who grow five acres or more, were eligible to vote.  

The plan would have granted the Board several regulatory and advocacy powers. Some of these are: establishing and maintaining a register of producers, requiring buyers to provide information and submit levy remittances, negotiating the price or minimum price that must be paid for wild blueberries sold in PEI, using funds for marketing, research, administration and grower representation at provincial and national levels. 

Ideally, the base price would be set before harvest each year, providing predictability and fairness across the sector. JoAnn Pineau, executive director, PEI Wild Blueberry Growers’ Association reports that 21,380,617 pounds of wild blueberries were harvested from an estimated 6,000 acres in 2025.

“The farm gate price can vary significantly between individual growers, depending on their arrangements with their processors, but the 2025 price was estimated at around $0.90/pound,” says Pineau. 

The Board’s authority would only apply within Prince Edward Island. Currently, the growers have only two buyers:  Jasper Wyman & Son Ltd with a plant at Morell, Prince Edward Island and Oxford Frozen Foods, with the nearest plant in Oxford, Nova Scotia. 

It’s been an ongoing saga,” says Benny Nabuurs, president, PEI Wild Blueberry Growers’ Association. “The association board of directors will now meet to discuss next steps.” 

Source:  staff