Does Price Reflect Quality in Fresh and Frozen Commercial Blueberries?

While blueberries are prized for their health-promoting phytonutrients, premium pricing for fresh and organic products often creates a perceived quality-price correlation. This study evaluates the 'retail-reality' of nine commercial blueberry products (fresh and frozen; conventional, organic, and wild) to determine if retail price accurately reflects biochemical quality. Multi-platform analytical techniques (HPLC, HR-MS, and GC-MS) were used to quantify anthocyanins, organic acids, and volatile compounds across market categories. Results showed that while fresh organic berries often had higher organic acid profiles, several lower-priced frozen products had comparable or higher anthocyanin concentrations. These findings suggest that post-harvest handling and storage methods are more important for quality than retail price or farming labels. This research reveals a significant market information gap and demonstrates to consumers and policymakers that frozen blueberries offer a cost-effective, nutrient-dense alternative to expensive fresh fruit. • Storage conditions significantly affect blueberry nutritional composition. • Frozen blueberries retain comparable or higher anthocyanins than fresh. • Organic fresh blueberries have higher organic acids and volatiles. • Price does not always correlate with the nutritional quality of blueberries. • Frozen blueberries offer a cost-effective alternative with similar benefits.