The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Florida

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

Volume: Volumes are decreasing slightly due to being past the seasonal peak.  

Pack Counts: Conventional: 22-26; Organic: 24-26, 32-34 depending on ranch 

Mexico

Quality: Quality is fair due to inclement weather. 

Volume: Production is decreasing. 

Pack Counts: Conventional: 25-28 depending on ranch 

Oxnard

Quality: 3 inches of rain occurred over the weekend, with more wet weather forecasted this week. Most mature fruit has been effected. However, the rain is still benefiting these healthy plants greatly; excellent quality is anticipated to return following a round of harvest for juice.

Volume: Crews will focus on cleaning up the fields this week and anticipate returning to harvesting for fresh by next week

Santa Maria

Quality: Cold weather and upwards of 3.5” of rain have effected most fruit with color.

Volume: Crews will focus on cleaning up the fields this week and plan to return to harvesting for fresh by next week.  Excellent quality is anticipated once the rain clears.

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Chile

Quality: Quality on arrival and at origin is good.   

Volume: Heat waves, rain, and wildfires have cut the season short. This will be the last week containers will be received. 

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 good with some redback. 

Volume: Volumes are increasing. Peak production is forecast for weeks 16-19. 

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. 

 

California Giant Berry Farms is now accepting entries for its annual Chef Invitational. Now in its 5th year, the California Giant Chef Invitational is a nationwide culinary competition that calls upon chefs to think outside the box and create innovative, original dishes featuring fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries as the hero of the plate. 

For more information on how to apply to the 2023 California Giant Chef Invitational and to read the complete guidelinesclick here!

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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