The supply of strawberries from California and Mexico has not been enough to satisfy current demand for berries. With the Valentine's Day pull, supplies have been stretched thin and prices are robust.“As we're getting into Valentine's Day, the market is getting stronger,” said Derek Sass with Beachside Produce. “There aren't enough berries to meet demand, and a lot of retailers are starting to pull their ads.” The price per flat of strawberries has been in the low to mid-20s for fruit from both Mexico and California. By comparison, Sass said prices are usually in the mid-teens at this time of year.
“It's a question of supply and demand, with a lot of the demand coming from the Valentine's Day pull,” he explained, “but it's also that acreage is down.” California acreage this season is about 12 percent less than what it was the previous season, and that certainly hasn't helped with easing the current paucity of berries.
“I think Oxnard acreage is down due to the drought,” said Sass. “But a lack of available labor is also a factor in both Oxnard and Santa Maria.”
Beachside Produce will be at this year's Southern Exposure that takes place between March 3 and 5 in Hollywood, Florida. You can find them on the show floor at booth #219.
For more information:
Derek Sass
Beachside Produce
+1 800 961 6659