January 22, 2018

This week weather is off to a cooler start with highs in the low 60s, with Thursday highs even predicted to dip down into the high 50s. The weekend should warm up again into the high 60s – low 70s, with nighttime lows staying consistent in the low 40s. Quality looks excellent among strawberries – with big fruit underway. Counts are 12-14, with some even at 9-10 count and are going to ramp up more depending on weather. Our organic fruit under hoops still looks great at 18-22 count. We anticipate this crop continuing for another month or so labor and quality permitting.

Mexico:

Last week we experienced some colder days in Maravatío, Zamora and Tangancicuaro – with frost in the mornings in many of our fields. That said, damage among crops was minimal due to our protective macro tunnels. Fruit ripened slower last week due to the colder temperatures, resulting in significantly lower volume. Temperatures among all growing regions is forecasted to be back to normal this week with moderate, temperate days ahead. In Zamora, we have good strawberry quality with counts 18-20 – some up to 26. Minor defects include white shoulders and the occasional overripe fruit. Maravatío strawberries are looking large with counts 18-20. This region may experience some showers toward the end of the week. Most strawberry crops are loaded with green fruit – with our peak expected in this region in the next 2 weeks. Irapuato has good quality among its strawberry crops, and excellent quality among blueberries – although volume is low. Los Reyes and Ziracuaretiro have good quality among blackberries and are picking up in volume.

Oxnard:

Temperatures hit the mid 30s this morning – with fruit coloring not looking as expected. Going forward this week weather looks to be in the low 60s – low 70s during the day with nighttime lows in the 40s, with temperatures in the 50s toward the end of the week. Overall quality of fruit is very good, with Fronteras at 14-16 count, and San Andreas at 16-18 count. Fruit looks large and firm, and labor is plentiful.

Blueberries:

Both Chilean regions Linares and Chillán are experiencing warm temperatures in the high 80s and nighttime lows in the 50s. Temuco is slightly cooler, with temperatures in the mid – high 70s and nighttime lows in the upper 40s. We are in full harvest of varieties such as Brigitta, Bluegold, Elliot and Camellia – with Legacy decreasing its harvest. We are also progressively increasing the harvest of rabbiteye-varieties – Brightwell, Tifblue and Powderblue. Fruit looks large and firm.

Florida:

Last week was a frosty week for Florida. Temperatures crept down into the 20s – with a chilling 26 degrees recorded among our growing regions – the coldest it has been in almost 8 years. On top of the cold temperatures, we also experienced some wind up to 15 mph – resulting in icy ranches and some damaged fruit. However, most defects on green fruit will not be visible for another month or so. Weather this week looks back to normal – with temperatures back into the 70s and nighttime lows in the 50s and increased volume on the horizon.

This consumer guessed that their "unbelievably big, sweet and juicy" Cal Giant berries were from Oxnard, California – and they were right!

This Colorado Target has some strawberries just waiting to be devoured – talk about some ‘Giant’ berries!