The Trade Buzz

CROP UPDATES

STRAWBERRIES

strawberry

Santa Maria

Quality: Quality is fair due to recent heatwave and rain, with some pinrot and small fruit. Size is anticipated to increase next week.  

Volume: Fall crop production is increasing with peak estimated for the first weeks of October. Organic spring crop production is decreasing.  

Pack Counts: Conventional Fall Crop: 20-22-25 depending on ranch; Organic Fall Crop: 26-30; Organic Spring Crop: 30-35 

Watsonville/Salinas

Quality: Quality is fair for both organic and conventional fruit with some soft and overripe fruit due to the heat wave, followed by rain. 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: 20-26 depending on ranch; Organic: 30-34   

BLUEBERRIES

blueberry

Argentina

Harvest Status: The first containers are expected to arrive this week. Light volume is expected from this region this season.  

Mexico

Quality: Quality is good. 

Volume: Production is increasing as the season gets underway. 

Oregon

Quality: Quality is fair.  

Volume: Production is decreasing.  

Peru

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

Volume: Production is increasing with peak estimated to start. 

 

RASPBERRIES

raspberry

Mexico

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

Volume: Production is steady. 

Watsonville

Quality: Quality is fair due to inconsistent weather conditions. 

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

BLACKBERRIES

blackberry

Mexico

Quality: Quality is fair. 

Volume: Production is steady. 

Watsonville

Quality: Quality is fair due to inconsistent weather conditions. 

Volume: Volumes are light and are forecasted to remain as-is throughout the season. 

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 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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