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Strawberries Unseasonably warm temperatures (mid-upper 90s) have dominated the daily forecasts in all berry growing regions of California since the middle of last week and though the past weekend. Today we are closer to average along the central coast with highs in the mid 70s. We are poised for a brief cool down before the temperatures once again rise up into the 90s as we head into the coming weekend. For the Salinas/Watsonville growing districts, experiencing extreme heat is another setback for the already tired plants. Crews are forced to harvest in the early morning hours only due to afternoon temperatures. Not only does this lead to a shortage of fruit but it increases the defects on soft, bruised and overripe fruit. It is likely that we will see sunburn on the berries in the next weeks to come as well as “checker-boarding” with mixed color and variance of ripeness in the clamshells. While crews are working to divert substandard fruit, it is likely you will see defects quoted in the 20% range at loading point. One area that has improved is that we have had nighttime temperatures in the high 40s – low 50s the last few nights. This will give the plants an opportunity to rest and help with sizing and firming up the fruit. However, it also decreases fruit volume coming on the plants. The Santa Maria growing district has passed its peak volume and with the recent heat, we will see increased quality issues and defects loading there. Oxnard is finally coming on with some light volume and good quality is being reported. We will try to move as many orders to loading out of this region as possible to get the newest crop, best quality fruit.
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Raspberries – California growing regions continue to decline in volume. The recent heat slowed production as the crews could not go in under the hoops to harvest due to high temperatures. Extreme hot (or cold) slows the coloring process in raspberries therefore slowing the harvest of ripe fruit. Hot temperatures also cause the plant to hold onto the fruit which restricts pickers from harvesting without damage. Although we are at the end of the domestic crop and the quality is an issue, volume is increasing from Mexico and we believe the volumes should increase greater over the next week(s.)
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Blackberries – California blackberries are in the last weeks of production. Most shippers are saying this crop will be done in 10-20 days. While the heat is not as much a factor with the blackberries themselves, this fruit is already at the end of season with quality issues present. Soft berries reported with red cells and some mold. Also, harvest times have been shortened due to high temperatures under the hoops. While the Mexican product has come on, they are keeping most of it local due to quality and fear of rejection at the border crossing. Volume continues to be a struggle between both areas. There is another tropical storm which potentially threatens the growing regions in Mexico. Barring any type of major catastrophe, we should see better volumes after this passes.
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Blueberries – Domestic supplies are dwindling from the Pacific Northwest and Michigan growing regions. The remaining fruit is mostly if not all controlled atmosphere storage berries. Quality is fair at best. Demand is strengthening for new offshore fruit. Argentine and Uruguayan volume is available in Florida and sporadically in Los Angeles. Supply continues to increase. Quality is reported as being good.
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