October 23, 2020

Strawberries
Watsonville- Salinas:

Last weekend’s hot weather in the Watsonville/Salinas area cooled down to the high 70s this week with night time temperatures in the 50s. The area is to expect more of the same next week, but night temperatures are expected to drop from the mid-50s to the mid-40s, which will be welcome by the plants. Quality this week has been good with firm berries that have nice color. Berry size has also rebounded a little with the cooler weather.

Pack Counts: Conventional: 18-20 / 22-24; Organic: 28-32.

Santa Maria:

There have been big swings in the temperature in Santa Maria this past week. Highs are in the upper 90s to low 100s last week, followed by highs in the 60s with a thick, wet marine layer all this week. The lygus pressure has been unprecedented this year, but crews are working hard to drop the crooked, overripe and soft fruit. Packed fruit quality has been good with some small and overripe berries. Size should rebound with cooler temperatures. There is a small production gap in volume with the high heat and gleaning of poor-quality fruit. But there is plenty of flower and green fruit gearing up for a rebound.
Overall pack counts continue to vary by ranch. Conventional: 22-24 / 26-28; Organic: 26-28.

Mexico:

Weather in Mexico has seen highs in the mid-80s with lows in the mid 40s to low 50s at night. There is a chance of rain next week that could provoke decay, but growers are keeping a close eye on quality. As a result of the recent hot weather, crews are dropping overripe and bruised fruit to keep packs clean. Weather is expected to improve in the weeks to come and with that, quality will too improve.

Florida:

Growers are reporting that most all fields have been planted. So far, so good – and we’re expecting the first harvest to begin, in very light volume, mid-November.

Blueberries
Mexico:

South America:

Quality of the air and sea containers received so far from Argentina, Uruguay and Peru has been mostly good with good size, bloom and firm berries. Production from all three areas is still light, but volumes are expected to increase in the coming weeks. Arrivals from Chile will add to this volume beginning early December.

Raspberries

Mexico:

Growers are reporting that the recent heat has caused uneven ripening and overripe fruit this week. The crews have taken extra precaution as a result to ensure clean packs. Volume continues to remain at promotable levels for the next several weeks.

Blackberries 
Mexico:

Wind has continued to be high this week causing damage in the way of overripe, leaky and red celled fruit. As with the raspberries, crews are working diligently to ensure clean packs upon harvest.