Supplies of California strawberries are coming on strong from the Watsonville/Salinas region. “We’re ramping up to peak production, which is forecasted to arrive in early-to-mid July,” says Nick Chappell, Director of Sales for California Giant Berry Farms. “Our overall supplies of strawberries this year are up slightly over last year. This is largely due to our increase in acreage.”
The strawberry season out of the region began later due to the weather conditions such as heavy spring rains and flooding. In turn, this moved production to larger volumes arriving later than average. “The Watsonville/Salinas region is a good example of this, as peak volumes are forecasted to arrive in early-to-mid July. Weather permitting, the regions’ season will run into mid-November,” says Chappell.
“We’re ramping up to peak production, which is forecasted to arrive in early-to-mid July,” says Nick Chappell.
2023 weather
He notes that the biggest challenge of 2023 has been the weather. “Ultimately, weather impacted crops early on--from above average amounts of rain, flooding or uncharacteristically cold weather. Like most California production, our production curve was shifted and peak promotable volumes are arriving, albeit later.”
For California Giant, it has both organic and conventional strawberries coming out of this area as well as the Santa Maria region. “The fruit quality we’ve been seeing is outstanding!” says Chappell.
As for demand, it is good, particularly as the 4th of July holiday approaches and pricing is slightly up this year compared to last year at this time.
For more information:
Kyla Oberman
California Giant Berry Farms
Tel.: +1 (831) 786-7458
koberman@calgiant.com
https://www.calgiant.com/