“Fortunately, demand for strawberries is picking up”, says Derek Sass with Beachside Produce. The past three to four weeks, there was a lack of demand. “However, with production increasing this time of the year, retailers have confidence in supplies and are starting to feature strawberries in their ads. Also, the arrival of Spring results in the consumer mindset changing from vegetables to fruit”, Sass added.
The market has jumped up from a few weeks ago. Prices were in the $8 range and in some areas even lower due to cold weather causing a lack of demand. “Prices are now back into the $10 range and with Easter right around the corner, I expect them to remain here for the next two to three weeks, even with an influx of supply”, said Sass.
“Supplies are plentiful and are being sourced out of many different growing regions across the United States and Mexico.” Currently, Beachside Produce’s strawberries are grown out of Santa Maria, CA. “Santa Maria and even Watsonville are just getting started with new crop fruit. Watsonville supplies are still very light as it is early in the season for them”, said Sass.
Beachside Produce considers itself a boutique strawberry shipper, with a little over 1 million trays per year. Six years ago, the company started their strawberry program that focuses on high quality. Strawberries from Beachside Produce are available at selective retailers throughout the United States. Although the majority of the company’s strawberries are sold to retail, Beachside also distributes to foodservice and wholesale.
For more information:
Derek Sass
Beachside Produce
Tel: +1 800 961 6659