How China Swiped the Secret to American Blueberries

Driscoll’s initial success in the Chinese blueberry market triggered a rapid, unintended transformation of the industry. Reporter John Emont details how the company’s introduction of high-tech cultivation and premium varieties like Eureka Sunrise in Yunnan established a lucrative, high-end niche. This success quickly attracted local competitors who utilized similar farming techniques and, in some cases, illicitly propagated proprietary plants. This surge in production—where China added more capacity in four years than the entire United States—led to market "involution," characterized by intense competition, crashing prices, and eroded profit margins. While this shift has granted Chinese consumers "blueberry freedom" through lower costs, it has forced Driscoll’s to pivot its strategy toward exports. The situation illustrates a recurring pattern for foreign firms in China: early profitability often invites rapid, state-backed competition that erases margins and forces companies to navigate a hyper-competitive landscape.