CROP UPDATES

Region Update: The Watsonville and Salinas regions appear to be moving past the recent rain cycle. Certain areas received slightly more than 1.25 inches of rain, with the heaviest impacts reported in Watsonville.

Quality: Quality conditions vary significantly by ranch, depending on rainfall exposure and field drainage. Some growers are reporting up to 50% water damage, including cracking and elevated decay risk. As a result, several ranches remain in juice or cleanup mode, while others are still unable to access fields due to saturated conditions. By early next week, much of the rain‑related damage is expected to be worked out of the system, allowing quality to improve incrementally.

Volume: Production is expected to increase substantially under dry conditions. 

Pack Counts: Conventional,18-20; Organic, 16-20.

Region Update: Weather conditions in the Santa Maria Valley were challenging at the beginning of the week. This past Monday and Tuesday, the area received approximately 0.50 inches of rain, which slowed harvest activity and slowed production during the first half of the week.

Quality: Conventional strawberry quality remains strong overall. Organic quality has been more variable following the recent rain. Field observations indicate issues with soft and overripe fruit, along with minor shape inconsistencies.

Volume: Conventional production is expected to remain steady over the next two weeks, reflecting a post‑peak but stable pattern. Organic production has softened this week as a direct result of the early‑week rain and limited color development. The region is currently experiencing a temporary production gap, which is expected to extend into next week.

Pack Counts: Conventional, 20-22; Organic, 22-28.