The overall volume of blackberries this season is down compared to last year because of quality issues seen at the beginning of the year. “The colder temperatures in Mexico have had an effect on quality this year. However the blackberry supply is very good right now,” says Katiana Valdes of Crystal Valley Foods in Miami, Fl. “And we expect good quality and good supplies to continue on for the next few weeks.”
Crystal Valley sources hand-picked blackberries from both Guatemala and Mexico. “We get Guatemalan blackberries year-round and the Mexican blackberry season is projected to finish at the end of May,” says Valdes. “We will also have domestic blackberries this spring. Our blackberries will be Georgia grown and it’s the first time we will offer domestic blackberries.”
Consumption continues to climb
Meanwhile demand on blackberries continues to increase. “We see that demand growing as growers continue to develop better blackberry varieties with better quality and taste profiles,” she says. In fact, in the past few years, consumption of blackberries has increased in the U.S. because of the work done in the industry developing new, sweeter varieties for the fresh market.
Also growing is the volume—and the demand for—organic blackberries. This season, Crystal Valley is offering new pack sizes of organic and conventional—namely, a 12oz organic and an 18oz conventional pack.
For more information
Katiana Valdes
Crystal Valley Foods
Tel: +1 (786) 565-4575
katiana@crystalvalleyfoods.com
www.crystalvalleyfoods.com