STRAWBERRIES
Florida
Quality: Quality is great for both conventional and organic fruit. Cooler temperatures forecasted for next week are anticipated to help increase fruit size.
Volume: Production is rapidly increasing.
Pack Counts: Conventional: 20-24, 28-30 depending on ranch; Organic: 20-24, 28-30 depending on ranch
Mexico
Quality: Quality is good with occasional green fruit.
Volume: Production is expected to increase this week and then be steady through the end of the year.
Pack Counts: Conventional: 22-28
Oxnard
Harvest Status: Plants are healthy with heavy blooms and some green fruit.
Santa Maria
Quality: Conventional and organic quality is good with some pin rot and water damage from wet, cool weather.
Volume: Production is quickly decreasing for the season due to continued rain and cool temperatures.
Pack Counts: Conventional Fall Crop: 20-25; Organic Fall Crop: 20-25, 30-35 depending on ranch
BLUEBERRIES
Chile
Quality: Quality on arrival and at origin is excellent.
Volume: The first conventional container arrived last week. Volume is anticipated to increase significantly through the end of the year.
Mexico
Quality: Quality is excellent with great bloom and flavor. The only defects are occasional ripped calyx and shrivel.
Volume: Production is starting to slightly decrease from peak volumes.
Oxnard
Quality: Quality is excellent with occasional bird damage and shrivel.
Volume: Production will start again this week. Volumes have been lower than anticipated due to mild weather and slow ripening.
Peru
Quality: Quality is good at origin.
Volume: The last organic container is estimated to arrive at the end of December.
RASPBERRIES
Mexico
Quality: Quality is good with some soft and broken fruit due to fluctuating temperatures.
Volume: Production is increasing with peak production estimated for mid to late January.
BLACKBERRIES
Mexico
Quality: Quality is good with some overripe fruit.
Volume: Production is anticipated to be steady through the end of the year.
Meet Us On The Road
Global Organic Produce Expo (GOPEX)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 2
Shopper Praise
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!”
