The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Santa Maria

Quality: Quality remains strong. Plants have strong flower and green fruit sets, which should maintain medium sizing with good appearance through the rest of peak production. Warmer temperatures have caused some instances of overripe fruit.

Volume: Production has entered the peak of the Spring Crop season.

Pack Counts: 18-26;

 

Watsonville/Salinas

Quality: Quality is great.

Volume: Production is looking good for conventional and organic fruit, with our estimates doubling each week as we approach the expected peak of the season in June.

Pack Counts: Conventional: 12-18, 18-24; Organic: 16-20;

 

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality remains good, with good flavor, bloom and appearance, although we are seeing some issues with red berries, soft and leaking fruit, and shriveling from the high heat.

Volume: Conventional volume in Mexico is trending down each week, and we are expecting the conventional blue season to end towards July. Organic production will begin again around August.

 

Florida

Quality: Conventional quality is fair.

Volume: We are close to wrapping up the Florida season.

Central Valley

Quality: Quality is great, with great size, flavor, and bloom.

Volume: Conventional and organic production is peaking.

 

Pacific Northwest

Region Update: Oregon production is expected to start towards the second half of June (Conventional and organic). Initial fruit set on plants look great with nice, healthy plants. British Columbia and Washington are scheduled to start sometime in July.

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

Quality: Overall, fruit is looking good with a strong red color, sizes and firmness. 

Volume: Volume has been good throughout May, with a peak in volume coming in late June.

Watsonville

Quality: Quality is good with nice shape and color. 

Volume: Volumes are light and will be limited until the end of June.

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with some issues of red cell regression, attached calyx, and some soft, leaking fruit due to the high heat in this region.

Volume: Volume for blackberries is consistent, but we are in a dip in production from pruning over the last week.

Watsonville

Quality: Quality is good.

Volume: Production is currently limited to a few pallets a couple days of the week, but we should have good load volume starting in June.

Central Valley

Region Update: We will only have conventional production here. The season here will be quick, with volume beginning sometime in mid-June through the end of July. Availability from this region will be limited due to committed business, but open-market availability may be available on a weekly basis.

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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 just wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate the care and quality that goes into every berry you grow. Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, your fruit is always vibrant, flavorful, and fresh—something that really stands out in today’s market. As someone who values clean, wholesome food, your berries have become a regular staple in my kitchen. It’s also inspiring to see your commitment to sustainability and community. From field to table, it’s clear that you prioritize doing things the right way, and it makes a difference. I love supporting companies that care not just about great products, but about the people and planet too.”

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