Crop Updates
Santa Maria:
We are expecting another storm over the weekend between Friday and Saturday, with conditions to improve next week and clear skies ahead. Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with cool nights in the 40s. We received over 2 inches of rain in this recent storm and are still currently assessing damages and cleaning the fields. We are hoping to get into the fields tomorrow to harvest some conventional and organic strawberries, but aren't expecting much volume and exceptional quality until next week as we bounce back from the repercussions of this storm.
Oxnard:
Yesterday we received one inch of rain, and almost three inches total in the last week. Most of the moisture in the fields has drained properly with some specific areas more flooded, but overall it's cleaning up well. In the meantime, we are anticipating more showers Saturday and Sunday, and next week's forecast looks to be clear. Despite the adverse weather conditions, quality is holding up nicely at 18-20 count, and any damages to crops are expected to clear up nicely. Labor continues to not be an issue as crews are waiting for the beginning of harvest.
Mexico:
The weather is beginning to look favorable for production. The mornings and nights are chilly, and days consist of high temperatures and clear skies. There are low chances of mild rainfall in various growing regions - but this type of weather will help us to maintain good quality. The temperatures in general range from the 40s at night, and mid-high 80s during the day.
Strawberries:
Volumes are increasing, and the following weeks are expecting to increase rapidly. Now, with clearer skies and dry, cold weather, the production will come regularly. The quality for exportation is looking great, and counts are differentiating depending on the grower - not necessarily the growing region. In Maravatio, we increased our visitations with the growers so we can improve the packing of partially green fruit.
Blackberries:
The volumes will continue to increase, and fields are looking great. The only hurdles we are currently facing is minor red cell, however, quality, production and packs will maintain if the weather continues this way.
Raspberries:
Raspberry volume is predicted to decrease dramatically the next few weeks. The reason for this reduction is due to the atypical weather patterns we have been experiencing so far this season. Growers have tried tirelessly to invest to resolve these weather related issues in the fruit, and are continuing to monitor the crops progress.
With the improvements in weather on the forecast ahead, we expect the quality of the fruit to improve slowly but surely.
Blueberries:
Blueberry volume will continue to increase. The weather is helping with fruit quality, mainly fruit from Guanajuato. Ziracuaretiro is getting close to the end of its production. They will wait until the weather pushes forces them to halt production. As for organics, volume will also increase slowly - fields look great but there is still a lot of green fruit and flowers.
Blueberries:
Weather is warm and sunny in our Chilean growing region, with temperatures mostly in the 80s-low 90s. We are decreasing volumes in our North Zone (Ovalle), with our last harvest of the Jewel, Emerald and Oneal varieties. In the O'higgins region, harvest is approaching its peak, with Suzie Blue, Star and Oneal as the main varieties. South-Central zone is increasing harvest volumes from open-field crops, with full harvest of Oneal, Duke, Star and little volumes of Legacy and Camellia. We are seeing great size in our Chilean region at this time. As for Argentina-Urugauy, the Metán season has finished, and Salto-Concordia is decreasing their volumes weekly due to high temperatures accelerating the ripening of the fruit. Peru has wrapped up its season with good quality and 2019 harvest.
Florida:
Weather in our Florida growing regions looks mild and moderate in the mid-high 70s and partly cloudy skies, and no rain on the forecast next week. Quality in the fields is looking great, with nice size, flavor and color.
Weather Conditions
For up-to-date weather conditions in all of our growing regions, click on the region below. Wunderground.com is our go-to weather resource for fast and reliable weather updates.
Watsonville
Salinas
Santa Maria
Oxnard
Mexico
Georgia
Florida
South America
Home for the Holidays
It's truly the most wonderful time of year, especially for us! During these fall-winter months we excitedly gear up for holiday celebrations with berries. In an effort to continue to promote berries during the holiday festivities - we've decided to position California Giant with what consumers typically love most during these colder months...staying
Home for the Holidays. We can't think of anything better during holiday season than bundling up and baking sweet treats for those we love.
That said, our
Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes launched this week and will extend all the way through the first week of January. Each week one special entrant will win a carefully curated and holiday-inspired gift to help sweeten up their home this season! In the meantime, sweepstakes results are already looking
just as sweet with an influx of submissions and entries in just a few days!
Be on the lookout for fun and festive social graphics, holiday inspired Buzz Blog content, recipes and more.
'Tis the season for eating, drinking, and being merry with recipes guaranteed to get you on the Nice List.
Consumer Spotlight
California Giant is lookin' good all the way from Missouri. A huge thanks to this consumer from Jefferson City, MO for writing into our team this week!
I picked up 2 packages of your organic strawberries today at Walmart and they tasted excellent! Keep up the good work!
