STRAWBERRIES:
Salinas/Watsonville: High humidity and slightly elevated temperatures are causing some problems in the fruit quality. Defects we are seeing include smaller berry sizing coupled with overripe fruit and excessive bruising. Crews are trying to keep the pack-out clean. We can expect reduced shelf life due to these issues. Some of these problems are not visible at the point of shipping but tend to become more apparent after arrival. We are expecting another cooling trend as we move into the weekend.
Santa Maria: This area is experiencing the same humidity and elevated temperatures that are affecting the northern growing regions.
Markets remain steady in the $10.50 to $12.50 range with fair demand. Freezer options are available to growers which is keeping the fresh markets firm.
BLUEBERRIES: There is good volume coming from Oregon and Washington. Michigan is expected to increase in numbers over the next several weeks after battling weather at the beginning of their season. New Jersey is still producing very small numbers.
Markets are trending lower in the $14.50 to $18.50 range on the12/6 oz packs while the 12/1 pint packs are trading from $19.50 to $22.50.
BLACKBERRIES: We are still seeing an overall shortage across the industry due to planting and transitional gaps, We should see some relief in the first week of August coming out of Mexico, Oregon, and California’s central coast.
Markets are $30.00 to $32.00 in this demand exceeds supply situation.
RASPBERRIES: Volumes are beginning to slowly increase for most suppliers. Additional amounts of fruit are coming from Baja.
Markets are softening in the $16.50 to $20.50 range in conjunction with the better supplies that are coming out of Baja.
Salinas weather Santa Maria weather
