March 22, 2021

Strawberries

Oxnard: 

One of the photos below shows hail damage to the red fruit. The pickers are doing a good job of keeping out the severely affected fruit, although some have the potential to make it in.  

Volume: The plants still have a very strong set of great looking fruit coming on for the Easter pull and beyond. However, total volume out of Oxnard will be impacted for rest of the season. Some growers made it out with minimal damage, while others were affected badly.

Quality: Crews were on top of preparation both before the rain and for the cleanup after the hail – so quality issues of packed fruit are minor for the most part. There is some hail damage visible throughout. Still, the fruit has a good shape, sheen, and color.

Pack Counts: Conventional: 14-18 ct.

Santa Maria:

Quality: Varies drastically from ranch to ranch due to recent weather events. A majority of the fields will rebound well within the next few weeks. Catface and crooked tips are to be expected through April, as many flowers and green fruit were affected. Example of damage is shown in photo below.

There is still a good supply of quality strawberries being packed. Organic color continues to be salmon-orange.

Volume: First week of April will see a big jump in supply.

Pack Counts: Conventional: 12-16 ct. / Organic: 20-22 ct.

Mexico:

Quality: Overall quality is good with some uneven ripening and green shoulders.

Volume: Total volume is slowly declining; however, harvest will continue through April for the US Market.

Pack Counts: Conventional: 24-28 ct.

Florida:

Quality: There is some dark color and bruising being seen from the afternoon harvest. Otherwise, quality is excellent.

Volume: Some ranches are beginning to end their season this and next week; however, other ranches plan to continue to harvest for another few weeks while the quality remains high.

Pack Count: Conventional: 28-30 ct.

Watsonville/Salinas:

Growers expect to get into the fields for a first harvest the first week of April.

Blueberries

Mexico

Quality: There is good bloom and size ranges for the most part from 14mm to 18mm, depending on the variety. Fruit is sweet, tart and firm. The only minor defects present are a small percentage of attached blossom and redback berries.

Volume: Trending upwards over the next 4 weeks. Our growing regions have been experiencing nice weather with warm temperatures, which is helping move ripening along quickly.  

Oxnard

Quality: Quality of this all-organic crop is good, with firm berries and good bloom. The only minor defects in the pack are some debris from attached blossoms and stems.  

Volume: Production is increasing. Peak weeks will be weeks 12-16 at 145-195k lbs/week during that window. 

Central Valley, CA

Harvest Status: One organic grower plans to begin field-packing organic blueberries this week in very light volume before the rest of the farms start mid-April.

Florida:

Harvest Status: Harvest of light volume from early producing fields will begin this week. Volume will pick up in early April. Recent cool weather in Florida has slowed down ripening a bit.

Georgia:

Harvest Status: Georgia growers are projecting a start date of April 10. Volume is expected to peak in late April-early May. Georgia fields are now in the full bloom-petal fall-early green fruit stages.

Raspberries

Mexico:

Quality: Quality is good with only occasional overripe/soft berries. 

Volume: Production remains steady for the next 3 weeks. 

Blackberries 

Mexico:

Quality: Quality is good with occasional red cell and overripe berries. 

Volume: Growers expect volume to trend upward now, through mid-May.