May 22, 2020

Happy Friday!

With the Memorial holiday upon us, we remember and thank all of those who serve our great country.

 It's also a sign that summer is getting closer and closer! We're excited for peak berry season with sunshine-filled days and sweet berries galore! This weekend is the perfect time for some refreshing cocktails and some sweet BBQ!

Crop Updates

Regarding COVID-19: California Giant is working hard to make every effort to ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and coworkers, while maintaining SAFE business and supply continuity of fresh berries to our customers. All areas of our supply chain continues to emphasize thorough sanitation practices and social distancing protocols. Thank you for being a valued customer of California Giant - We are all in this together!

Strawberries
Watsonville- Salinas:

Watsonville saw rain Sunday morning, on and off all day into Monday morning. Total rainfall was between .25 to .5 an inch depending on location. Salinas got a few sprinkles here and there, getting less than tenth of an inch. Our Watsonville growers were forced to take Monday off because it was too wet to get in. All ranches in Salinas were able to harvest and did not see much, if at all, damage. As a result of the rain, we saw spongy tips on the fruit; crews have worked hard each day to clean up the plants and are now seeing great quality, size, shape, color and sheen. Counts are averaging 14-16 and will be the case for the next two weeks. There is a lot of green fruit, which will lend to increasing volume we’re expecting to see grow each week through June.

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Santa Maria: 

Last weekend was warm and muggy in Santa Maria, with some heavy drizzle Sunday evening and with some light showers Monday; the valley received around .10” of rain in all. Current weather is in the high 60’s, low 70’s with upper 40’s overnight. We’re expecting the days to warm up to the low 80’s and nights in the mid 50’s next week. Seeing a couple berries here and there with tip damage but nothing too concerning.  Fronteras variety: this is the last week of harvest; good color and sheen, some minor bruising; count: 18-20. San Andreas variety: count: 18-22. Monterey variety: crews worked hard to clean up the tip damage we saw from the rain. Some minor bruising, but is clearing up and we’re seeing more flower; count: 16-20.

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Organic Strawberries:

Overall quality has remained very good, with credit to the crews hard work to keep the packs clean. Counts are averaging 20-24; small from last week’s heat.

 

Raspberries 

Watsonville-Salinas:

Harvest is just getting started, but we’re seeing ideal color and good quality. Volumes are expected to increase now and each week through June.

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Mexico: 

Growers are working hard to monitor and control quality closely as the strong winds and high temperatures are working against us.

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Blackberries 

Watsonville-Salinas:

We’ll start harvesting the Ouachita variety within the next week or two, weather permitting. Prime Ark 45 is expected to start in July.

 

Georgia:

Cool weather pushed Georgia Blackberry harvest back a week but are now expecting to start by middle of next week! We’ll see very small volume to start, with a gradual increase to peak through early July.

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Mexico:

Volume continues to decrease. Strong winds, high temperatures, and constant scattered showers have reduced the amount of fruit we been able to harvest because most of the fields are not protected.

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Blueberries 

Mexico:  

There have been no significant changes in weather. In general, all the zones continue with temperatures in the 50's (overnight) – 90's (day). Quality has been good overall. The warm temps has led to smaller fruit size, yet is still firm and free of any shriveling. Growers are doing a fantastic job keeping the size and quality in the packs. Volume out of Mexico is declining as their spring season winds down. It's expected to be light during the month of June with the season wrapping up by the fourth of July.

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Georgia 

Packing has been light in Georgia this week. There was some wet and cool weather in the area, which has slowed ripening on the upcoming rabbiteye crop. Although, reports of good quality on the fruit being packed at both Georgia packing houses. Volume will begin picking up toward the tail end of next week as rabbiteye growers begin harvesting larger volumes. 

 

Central Valley California: 

Quality out of the central valley has been very good on both conventional and organic berries. Fruit is firm with good size and good bloom. Volume out of the central valley has been fairly light this week. We received some wet weather and cool temps, which did slow down harvest this week. Central valley peak production will begin during the middle of next week and continue for about 14 days.

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Oregon:

Oregon estimates for the season looks to be ahead of where it was at this time last year. Projecting as early as first harvest date of June 6th-June 10th. 

 

Organic Blueberries 

Oxnard Organic Blueberries:   

Last week’s volume was slightly up over forecast. However, volume will gradually decline each week moving forward with week 24 expected to be the final week of the 2020 Oxnard organics season. Quality out of Oxnard has improved in the last week with reports showing mostly good quality.

 

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

 

Reaching Consumers

This week, we're enjoying the outdoors with these easy backyard BBQ treats! Our twist on some classic recipes puts blueberries and strawberries at the forefront of your favorite BBQ flavors!

Summer BBQ Hot Dog with Blueberry & Corn Salsa

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Burger with Strawberry Ancho BBQ

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Consumer Spotlight

A berry sweet message from a Kroger shopper:

"The package has Georgia grown I'm curious where in Georgia because I live here. I've never bought berries this sweet they were so delicious. Out to get more! I hope they're just as sweet they replace my chocolate."

Pick of the Week

We are happy to see our strawberries bringing happiness to others! #weareinthistogether

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