The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Florida

Quality: Quality is great for conventional and organic fruit. 

Volume: Production has slowed due to cold weather slowing ripening. Volumes are expected to increase as weather patterns return to normal mid-week. 

Pack Counts: Conventional: 18-20, 20-22 depending on ranch; Organic: 18-22, 24-28 depending on ranch 

Mexico

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

Volume: Production is steady due to fluctuating cooler weather patterns.  

Pack Counts: Conventional: 24-28 depending on ranch 

Oxnard

Weather: The region has been experiencing significant rain and cool weather that has slowed ripening and interrupted harvests. Harvest schedules will be evaluated after the last storm systems come through. Production will increase quickly once dry, warmer weather is present.

Santa Maria

Weather: Severe weather event last week. While fields are hooped, flooded furrows, mud and erosion have prevented harvesting. Harvests will continue when rain ceases and furrows are able to dry.

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Chile

Quality: Quality on arrival and at origin is excellent.   

Volume: Volume is increasing with conventional peak projected to start mid-January. There have been some arrival delays due to extreme weather in California.   

Mexico

Quality: Quality is great overall. 

Volume: Volume is steady as production transitions from fall crop to spring crop.  

Oxnard

Quality: Quality is excellent with great size and bloom.  

Volume: Production is steady.  

Peru

Quality: Quality is good at origin.  

Volume: The last organic container is anticipated to arrive this week. Political unrest has caused slowing at the ports.  

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

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

Volume: Production is increasing each week. 

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional calyx retention and dried tips. 

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:

“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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