Market Update For Berries

Week of December 1 – December 7

Fresh strawberry supplies have been challenged since late October, and we have seen the spot market top $30.00 for the past three weeks. That trend could change over the next 10 days to two weeks, as better production is expected from Oxnard and Baja California, as well as central Mexico. Volumes will certainly not support promotional activity, but at least we could see prices drop into the mid to high $20s by Christmas. Weather is not a concern over the next two weeks, so that should help production as well. Santa Maria volumes will not impact the market, but we could see very early new crops from that region by the middle of January. This week will bring more of the same, with very limited volumes from all growing regions and spot market FOBs over $30.00, but some market relief is right around the corner.