February 19, 2019

 

Oxnard:

Mornings have been very cold in our Oxnard region, with temperatures in the low 30s, and a few more days of cold mornings ahead. We are forecasted for some very light rain Thursday, and as of now it just looks like a minor shower. Our current concerns are the cold temperatures - at this time we have no frost damage, but we still need to get through the next two nights. The fruit being picked looks good and defects appear very minimal. Color is 85-95 percent (color is lighter due to the cold temperatures), and sizing is at 12-16 count. Once we get a few days of dry and warmer temperatures, the volume will pick up and the color will be 95-100 percent.

 

Mexico:

 We had high temperatures this weekend throughout central Mexico - this week weather should be more 'berry friendly'. Temperatures in Irapuato and Zamora will be in the mid 40s during the night and up to the low 80s during the day.  Maravatío is forecasted to be in the mid 70s and in the low 30s at night. No rain is forecasted at the moment, but winds have been strong in some areas. Strawberries are facing some overripe and green shoulder defects in Zamora but nothing serious. Our raspberries are looking excellent in quality overall, and peak production is anticipated for April-May. Blueberry quality is great with no issues or rejections at the cooler. Weather has been favorable for blues with warm temperatures during the day and cool at night making the berries ripen faster, and we are seeing it in the numbers with volume to continue to increase in the weeks ahead. Blackberry quality is good overall with a few minor red cell defects due to the daytime heat but this should turn around soon with favorable weather on the horizon.

Blueberries:

Our Chilean region faced thunderstorms last Wednesday-Thursday, which interrupted harvest. Volumes of late-season varieties began to decrease (Elliot, Brigitta, Liberty). Warm temperatures are forecasted the rest of this week. In the south zone, rains are forecasted until Wednesday, therefore harvesting could be interrupted. Main harvested varieties are Legacy and Brigitta, which are showing good appearance, great size and high bloom. 

 

 

Florida:

We received little rain last week and no residual water damage at this time. There is rain on the forecast again this week with sunny days in between. Counts are 8-14 Sensation, 8-14 Brilliance, and 12-16 Radiance. Organic Radiance are ranging from 18-22 and organic Sensation 14-18. There is a cooling trend on the horizon toward the end of the month, but overall quality is good and counts are big.

      
Field Tours:

Last week our COO, Joe Barsi, headed to Planasa’s operations in Huelva, Spain to tour the facilities and meet with our team of breeders and experts that provide us with the delicious Adelita raspberry variety, and the Sayulita strawberry variety from Mexico.

One of our favorite outcomes of the 2018 California Giant Chef Invitational was the opportunity to collaborate with Top Chef Luis Reyes of Sysco West Coast Florida. Not only have we continued to work with Chef Luis beyond the Chef Invitational event at the 2018 PMA Foodservice Conference, PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, and meeting with him recently in his very own Sysco kitchen in Florida - but we also love seeing the regular commitment he has in utilizing fresh California Giant berries on his menu, and providing us frequently with innovative berry recipes to share with our database of consumers! 

 

Pictured below is his Brown Butter Cake with Sherry-Balsamic Macerated Fresh Berries and Vanilla Gelato - talk about the perfect dessert to end the evening with.

 

 

Interested in learning more about the 2019 Chef Invitational and how to participate? Click below to download the Chef Invitational brochure, full of event details, judging information, and more.  

 

Do your chefs have what it takes to compete? They can register here, and we'll be in touch with the official entry form soon!

 

Our California Giant blackberries are in-season and thriving!