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Strawberries
Watsonville- Salinas:
The Monterey Bay experienced a slight warm up this week and is expecting another bump early next week that will bring temperatures in the low-mid 80s and overnight lows in the mid 50s.
Quality has been up and down as previously reported. Decay is still an issue, but growers are seeing much less of it this week. Crews are working hard to keep the packs clean. This includes dropping fruit and keeping a close eye on the soft fruit that is being reported throughout the area. Certain blocks are producing larger sized fruit this week, but overall pack counts still vary by ranch.
Crop Counts: Conventional: 16-18 / 20-24 (avg); Organic: 28-32.
Santa Maria:
Similar weather trends as Monterey Bay, only just a few degrees warmer – as is normal for this area to be warmer than the Central Coast. The bump in heat helped lessen the decay issues that concerned growers last week. Crews are working hard to stay on top of it and keep the packs clean.
Quality is looking good – nice color, shape and strong flower sets of oncoming fruit. As for organic quality, crews are dropping some of the smaller sized fruit in order to deliver on consistent size and clean packs. There also have been some reports of soft fruit – but color and flavor is good.
Crop Counts: Conventional: 18-22 / 20-22; Organic: 16-18 / 24-28.
Blueberries
Oregon:
“Our Summer Oregon blueberry season is coming to an end this week. I am proud of all of our growers who did a great job of proving we are one big blueberry family! Throughout the summer, our growers stuck together through hail, rain, smoke and fire. As a team, we hit our yields, we stayed safe, and most importantly we provided healthy blueberries to consumers throughout the USA,” said Markus Duran, California Giant's North American Blueberry Operations Manager when asked for this thoughts on the season.
Mexico:
Wet weather in Mexico varies by growing region – rain totals average from ½ inch to upwards of 3 inches per day. This increase of precipitation is having effect on crops by way of powdery mildew and increased pest pressure as a result. Our growers are no strangers to this scenario and are working through it. We do not anticipate the quality of delivered products to have any issues with thanks to our hardworking crews. Volume will gradually pick up going into October. Cooler temperatures in our growing areas have slowed production recently. Quality has been excellent to start the season.
South America:
Chilean imports are expected to arrive in mid-November to both East and West coasts. Of what has already been received into the U.S. has looked good with occasional redback at time of arrival. Production out of Argentina and Uruguay will remain light for the next couple weeks, followed by significant volumes by mid-October.
Raspberries
Watsonville-Salinas:
Our Watsonville growers put priority on quality over quantity and are leaving blocks behind, if necessary, in order to focus on packing best quality fruit as best they can.
Mexico:
Raspberry quality remains very good, despite increased rain events in our growing areas. Reports of soft and leaking fruit as a result, but crews are working to prioritize quality in the packs. We know that this rain is only temporary and will soon have complimentary weather to our significant volume that is projected from the area. Overall, volume is already ramping up and looks to continue upward through November, before totals start to gradually decline in January.
Blackberries
Watsonville-Salinas:
Growers continue to be on track to deliver a steady supply from this area through October. Fruit looks beautiful at time of harvest and packing, as seen in today’s photo.
Mexico:
Just as with raspberries, production of blackberries out of Mexico is increasing despite the rain. Volumes are expected to ramp up in October and reach a multi-week peak in December-January.
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.
This week’s featured non-profit organization is Jacob’s Heart.
Jacob’s Heart exists to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses through emotional, practical, financial and peer support to children with cancer and their families. They hope and envision a community where every child with a serious or life-threatening condition has a strong, supported and informed family empowered to fully participate in their care.
Please consider donating HERE to this worthwhile cause.
Sent to us by a buyer from a valued retail partner:
“Best raspberries of the year!”
