New Zealanders are devouring an additional one million punnets of blueberries every year.

New grocery statistics show Kiwis consumed a record eight million punnets of blueberries last year worth over $30 million – a 1.1 million punnet increase (or 15.2%) on the 2019/20 blueberry season.

Blueberries New Zealand says an almost identical rise was recorded the year before, confirming a "huge surge in popularity for the humble blueberry".

Blueberries New Zealand Chairman Dan Peach attributes that success to a number of factors including the fruit's high-profile partnership with Olympian Eliza McCartney who has been their ambassador for the past five years.

But he also predicts the COVID-19 lockdown experience will likely push sales up even further this summer.

"In my opinion, people have genuinely reconnected with real food this year, particularly fruit and vegetables. At the beginning of lockdown, people were worried about food security and whether they could get enough of what they needed – we saw long queues at supermarkets, and sales of fruit and vegetable plants at garden centres have since gone crazy. People are planting in their own back yard to ensure supply.

'Blueberry sales will certainly benefit from that trend, as people focus on the health benefits of what they're eating and look to increase their consumption of superfoods, such as blueberries.”

New Zealand's main blueberry season is now underway and people shouldn't underestimate their small size.

'They contain higher antioxidant levels than just about every other fruit and vegetable,” Dan explains. 'They're low in calories, high in nutrients, and will help improve your mood.”

Around 60 per cent of New Zealand's annual blueberry crop is exported to Australia and Asia, and growers expect international demand will be stronger than ever thanks to our clean, green reputation and effective COVID-19 response.

'Demand looks to be really strong internationally this year, and a hot, dry summer will produce exceptionally good berries. We're confident New Zealanders will continue their love of blueberries and find ways to consume even more this coming season," Dan says.