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With back to back weeks of rain in May, immediately followed by two weeks of high heat, inconsistent weather has been taking its toll on the plants. Quality has been OK for the morning picks, but once the temperatures rise, this week’s afternoon fruit was overripe and had bruising. Crews are doing a good job maintaining quality packs. Counts are 18-22. We’ve now gone past the peak for this area, but may see another push mid-July.
Warm temperatures for the last few days; 80’s/90’s with lows in the 50’s. There will be a cooling trend tomorrow and windy conditions through the weekend; 60’s. Next week looks to be average in the mid 70’s. Due to the heat, quality is becoming difficult to ensure. Counts are 18-22. Planting for the fall harvest will continue over the next two weeks.
Organic Strawberries
Organic fields are struggling with mite pressure (industry wide) which could affect production. The bronzing seen last week has gotten much better. Counts are 24-26.
Raspberries
Watsonville-Salinas:
We're in the midst of peak harvest and the raspberries look great, with only occasional dark fruit.
Mexico:
Production will continue to decrease and will be low volumes as we ride out the rest of this season. Quality is profoundly affected by the humidity, high temperatures, and the rain. However, we are doing the best to maintain quality with the reduced volume.
Blackberries
Watsonville-Salinas:
The Ouachita variety is just starting to color up and the fruit look great! Official harvest will begin next week, with volumes quickly increasing week over week.
Santa Maria:
The Santa Maria blackberry harvest began last week with minimal quantities. Volume will pick up in the next two weeks and is expected to hold strong all summer. This Prime Ark 45 variety is producing some very beautiful fruit!
Georgia:
The next three weeks of weather is expected to be in the mid 80s with the lows in the mid 60s and 10% chance of rain for the next three weeks. Georgia blackberries are really looking good; quality is excellent. We are moving into the majority of our pick for the next three weeks, going into the Ouachita Variety. Late season varieties will begin picking Monday and should take us through the end of July.
Mexico:
Next week will be our last harvest out of Mexico for the season.
Blueberries
Mexico:
Temperatures rise quickly from 50's to 90's during the day, with increased chance of rain next week. The humidity is rising making it feel much warmer than numbers registered. Growers continue to focus on maintaining consistent fruit size; some growers have ended their season and have begun pruning, as quality and volume continues to reduce as the temperatures increase and the season comes to a close. Quality has been good overall. Crews are working hard to exclude soft and shriveled berries from the pack. Some growers have stopped picking in the last few days because they have not been able to produce the size and quality needed to continue in the fresh market. Production will continue to decline in the coming weeks out of Mexico. The spring crop will finish during week 28.
Georgia:
Georgia growers wrapped up their last harvest of the season the week.
Central Valley California:
Volume was up over projected this week. Next week will be the final week of packing for the central valley season. Quality has been mostly good this week. The berries have held up well in the extreme heat that the region experienced over the last couple weeks.
Oregon:
First pick out of Oregon is expected to be June 17th. We will pack light conventional volumes to start; but volume is expected to ramp up quick the following weeks. Fruit sets are looking good across most fields. We are expecting excellent quality on the duke crop out of Oregon.
Oxnard Organics:
Growers wrapped up their last harvest out of Oxnard for the season.
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.
Our summer sweepstakes, Sip, Chill & Repeat launches today! Consumers will have the chance to not only enjoy California berries through our refreshing drink recipes, but also have the chance to enter to win backyard hangout giveaways, health and wellness themed prizes, and more! This summer, California Giant Berry Farms is helping make the most of the summer for consumers.
Check out some of the cool prizes included:
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