Market Update For Berries

Week of April 13 – April 19

Strawberry production in all three California growing regions has been impacted differently from the late March heat wave. Oxnard growers have still fully recovered and their quality represents that. Many growers have started sending fruit to the freezers, so we will see less production from Oxnard this week. After last week’s rain, growers will certainly jump on the freezer business to avoid retail rejections. Santa Maria has recovered better, but counts are smaller and we have still seen some condition issue on longer transit shipments. This past week’s weather will impact Salinas/Watsonville more than Santa Maria as the rain fall up north was close to an inch and a half. It’s the first-time berry growers have dealt with rain, they will just clean up and start the process all over again. Watsonville will recover for sure and growers there are getting ready for their prime time. Berry quality up north should be fantastic by the week of April 20th, with counts ranging from 14-16. Big, beautiful fruit just in time for Mother’s Day. Don’t count Santa Maria out just yet as those growers know how to turn things around on a dime. Currently, the spot market is ranging from a low of $10.00 to a high of $14.00 for the very best fruit, with the mostly market at $12.00 FOB. We should see these prices hold all the way through the next holiday pull.