The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Florida

Quality: Quality is great for both conventional and organic fruit. Cooler temperatures forecasted for next week are anticipated to help increase fruit size.   

Volume: Production is rapidly increasing.  

Pack Counts: Conventional: 20-24, 28-30 depending on ranch; Organic: 20-24, 28-30 depending on ranch 

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional green fruit.  

Volume: Production is expected to increase this week and then be steady through the end of the year.  

Pack Counts: Conventional: 22-28 

Oxnard

Harvest Status: Plants are healthy with heavy blooms and some green fruit.  

Santa Maria

Weather: Nearly 2 inches of rain fell over the weekend. Temperatures will remain cool this week with highs in the 50’s and lows in the 30’s.

Quality: Organic fall crop is protected by tunnels; pin rot and water damaged fruit will be cleaned up as fields dry out. Overall organic quality is good with some green shouldered and misshapen fruit.

Volume: Conventional fall crop production is finished after this last rain event. Organic production will remain steady.

Pack Counts: Organic Fall Crop: 18-20, 20-24 depending on ranch 

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Chile

Quality: Quality on arrival and at origin is excellent.  

Volume: The first conventional container arrived last week. Volume is anticipated to increase significantly through the end of the year.  

Mexico

Quality: Quality is excellent with great bloom and flavor. The only defects are occasional ripped calyx and shrivel.  

Volume: Production is starting to slightly decrease from peak volumes.  

Oxnard

Quality: Quality is excellent with occasional bird damage and shrivel.  

Volume: Production will start again this week. Volumes have been lower than anticipated due to mild weather and slow ripening.  

Peru

Quality: Quality is good at origin.  

Volume: The last organic container is estimated to arrive at the end of December. 

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with some soft and broken fruit due to fluctuating temperatures.  

Volume: Production is increasing with peak production estimated for mid to late January.  

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with some overripe fruit.  

Volume: Production is anticipated to be steady through the end of the year.

Organic Produce Summit (OPS)

July 10th – 11th
Monterey, CA

IFPA Foodservice Conference

July 25th – 26th
Monterey, CA
Booth #617

SEPC Southern Innovations

Sept. 12th – 14th
Nashville, TN

 

IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show

Oct. 17th – 18th
Atlanta, GA

A berry nice note from a California Giant Berry Farms shopper:

“I am in Quebec, Canada. I just opened a box of your raspberries. They are the best that I have ever tasted. They are huge, deep red, and sweet just like the berries my aunt used to grow in her garden back in the 50’s and 60’s. When the berries were ripe I would walk about her raspberries and pluck them right off of the bushes. You brought back a wonderful memory to me. Thank you so much. Please pass my message on to the workers in the fields so they know their work is appreciated. Thank you and happy harvesting!”

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