The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Florida

Quality: Quality is great for both conventional and organic fruit. 

Volume: Volumes are increasing due to optimal weather conditions. 

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

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional green, overripe or cold-damaged fruit.  

Volume: Production is decreasing as the season begins to wind down.  

Pack Counts: Conventional: 24-28 depending on ranch 

Oxnard

Quality: Quality is good with nice shape, sheen and 95%+ color.  

Volume: Volumes are increasing due to warmer temperatures that will influence ripening.  

Pack Counts: 14-16 

Santa Maria

Quality: Quality is good for organic and conventional fruit, with some green shoulders and water damage.  

Volume: Volumes are light but increasing week-over-week for conventional spring crop. Light harvests are underway of the organic spring crop. Organic fall crop volumes are steady. 

Pack Counts: Conventional spring crop: 12-16; Organic spring crop: 12-16; Organic fall crop: 28-32 

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Chile

Quality: Quality on arrival and at origin is good.   

Volume: Volume is decreasing due to weather issues. The season is forecasted to come to a close at week 10.  

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with nice bloom and flavor.  

Volume: Volume has decreased slightly due to recent pruning, however is forecasted to increase week-over-week as spring growers approach their peak in mid-to-late March.  

Oxnard

Quality: Quality is excellent with great size and bloom.  

Volume: Volumes are increasing. Peak production is forecast for weeks 14-19. 

Peru

Quality: Quality is good at origin.  

Volume: We have two more organic containers for the season, including a full load of organic pints arriving this week. 

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional broken or overripe fruit.  

Volume: Production is steady. 

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional red cell and leaky berries.  

Volume: Production is steady. 

SEPC Southern Exposure

March 6 – 8th
Orlando, FL

USHBC/NABC Blueberry Hill Climb

March 24 – 28th
Alexandria, VA

CPMA

April 8 – 10th
Montreal, Canada

IFPA Retail Conference

April 30 – May 1st
Dallas, TX

IFPA Washington Conference

June 9 – 11th
Washington, DC

Organic Produce Summit

July 9 – 11th 
Monterey, CA

IFPA Foodservice Conference

July 31 – August 1st
Monterey, CA

SEPC Southern Innovations

September 10 – 13th
Charlotte, NC

USHBC/NABC Blueberry Convention

October 8 – 10th
Seattle, WA

IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show

October 16 – 18th
Anaheim, CA

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

“Great product! My kids love strawberries and I’ve purchased these for them and they are the best strawberries I have found in the area. Kudos to you!”

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