The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Florida

Quality: Rain and freezing temperatures occurred over the weekend. Growers were prepared to freeze protect plants and are evaluating the effects. Early harvests show no apparent damage from the freeze or from the water used to protect the crop.

Volume: Production has slowed slightly due to cooler weather. 

Pack Counts: Conventional: 24-26; Organic: 24-28 depending on ranch 

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional soft fruit.  

Volume: Production is expected to be steady through December.

Pack Counts: Conventional: 22-28 

Oxnard

Harvest Status: Plants are healthy with heavy blooms and some green fruit. Rain is expected throughout the week.

Santa Maria

Quality: Organic quality is good with some pin rot and water damage from wet, cool weather.  

Volume: Production is decreasing for the season due to continued rain and cool temperatures.  

Pack Counts: Organic Fall Crop: 20-28, depending on ranch 

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Chile

Quality: Quality on arrival and at origin is excellent.  

Volume: Volume is anticipated to increase significantly through the end of 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 decrease from peak volumes. 

Oxnard

Quality: Organic quality is excellent.

Volume: Volumes are increasing. 

Peru

Quality: Quality is good at origin.  

Volume: The last organic container is estimated to arrive in mid-January. Political unrest has caused slowing at the ports.

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

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

Volume: Production is decreasing through the end of year, with an increase forecasted for late January to early February. 

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with some overripe fruit.  

Volume: Production is decreasing through the end of year, with an increase forecasted for late January to early February. 

CPMA

Apr 23rd – 25th
Vancouver, BC

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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