The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Santa Maria

Quality: Quality is fair due to inconsistent weather (rain and heatwave) in September, with some small, deformed fruit and rot. Crews are working hard to turn in clean packs. 

Volume: Volume is steady. Size anticipated to return with regulated weather pattern. 

Pack Counts: Conventional Fall Crop: 22-26 depending on ranch; Organic Fall Crop: 28-32;  

Watsonville/
Salinas

Quality: Quality is fair for both organic and conventional fruit with some soft and overripe fruit due to inconsistent weather (rain and heatwave) in September. Crews are working diligently to clean fields, with quality improving with each harvest. 

Volume: Production is decreasing; downward trend expected through month of October.  

Pack Counts: Conventional: 22-26 depending on ranch; Organic: 30-34   

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Argentina

Harvest Status: The first containers of the season have arrived into the U.S. this week. Light volume overall, is expected from this region this season.  

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good. 

Volume: Production is light. 

Peru

Quality: Quality at origin and upon arrival is excellent with good bloom and firmness.   

Volume: Production is increasing. 

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good with occasional overripe fruit.  

Volume: Production is decreasing. 

Watsonville

Quality: Quality is fair due to inconsistent weather (rain and heatwave) in September. 

Volume: Volumes are steady and will continue to gradually decrease through the month of October. 

 

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is great. 

Volume: Production is increasing. 

Watsonville

Quality: Quality is fair due to inconsistent weather (rain and heatwave) in September. 

Volume: Volume is light and is forecasted to remain as-is throughout the remainder of the season. 

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 sweet message from a Meijer shopper: 

“I just wanted to tell you how much I love California Giant strawberries. I recently purchased a couple cartons of them, and they were by far the best I’ve ever had!! Keep up the good work!”

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