Blueberry research bears fruit at SFU greenhouses

Added on 16 May 2025

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Blueberry research bears fruit at SFU greenhouses

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Research on off-season berry production is bearing fruit at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Biotech Greenhouse. A team led by biological sciences professor Jim Mattsson has successfully grown a crop of blueberries indoors during the winter.

Their project, funded by the Weston Family Foundation’s Homegrown Innovation Challenge, aims to produce new varieties of blueberries and growing techniques suited to indoor commercial production during the off-season.

Canada’s cold winters and short growing season have long been an obstacle for farmers. Over 75 per cent of fruit eaten in Canada is imported, 37 per cent from the United States. Extending the Canadian growing season would not only provide welcome income for farmers, it would strengthen Canada’s food security against supply chain disruptions, international trade disputes and uncertainty due to climate change.