The blueberry transition from South America to Mexico and then into the U.S. domestic crop has been seamless. About two weeks ago, the California blueberry season kicked off and volumes are gradually ramping up. "While the California industry is currently slightly behind the original projections for this year, our farm is ahead of schedule," says Scott Hulsey, CEO of Gourmet Trading Company. "Harvest is progressing as expected and we are excited about the volume and quality that our farm is producing." Weather conditions during bloom and at the start of the season have been highly favorable and a warm week helped expedite the maturing process. The cooler week that followed was beneficial in protecting the integrity of the fruit and maintaining its quality. "Near-perfect weather has resulted in blueberries of great size and firmness. Most notably, the flavor is outstanding, delivering an incredible eating experience."
© Gourmet Trading Company
Michelle Carpenter and Scott Hulsey at California blueberry farm last week.
Strong market
Peak volume is anticipated for the next three weeks, and the expectation is for strong supply to be maintained through Father's Day. After that, the season will transition up north the Oregon. Up until now, demand has been very good. "We have observed strong demand for Mother's Day and anticipate similar demand for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend." Hulsey is optimistic for this momentum to continue, driven by consumer satisfaction with California fresh blueberries. "As demand meets supply during the peak season, I expect pricing to remain stable at current levels." The market is strong, partly due to other regions dealing with weather-related challenges.
"We are confident our customers can rely on us for a steady and consistent supply of high-quality fruit," says Michelle Carpenter, Production Manager at Gourmet Blueberries California. Gourmet Trading's primary customers are year-round businesses that value the quality of the fruit in combination with the service the company provides. "We foster long-term partnerships, working closely with our customers throughout the seasons to meet their needs and ultimately satisfy the end consumers. This consistent collaboration has allowed us to build strong, enduring relationships," Carpenter commented.
Southeast blueberries
Alongside its California farm, Gourmet Trading works with growers in the Southeast to supply their East Coast customers. Despite facing weather challenges on that side of the country, the company has been able to successfully manage through them. "Our growing operation in Mexico continues to strengthen, providing a solid foundation for good volume and quality, especially during periods of limited availability. This allows us to create momentum for our domestic operations, which benefits our customers as well."
© Gourmet Trading CompanyBlueberries with Smurfs label.
Paramount partnership
New for the domestic season is a partnership between Gourmet Trading and Paramount. "We are excited to share that we have partnered with Paramount to promote the upcoming Smurf movie, set to release on July 18, 2025," says Adriana Fortune, Sales Manager. This collaboration presents a unique marketing opportunity to engage with customers and generate excitement for the domestic blueberry season. "We have already begun packing with these labels on pints and 18oz packs will be available across Georgia, California, and Oregon through July 18."
For more information:
Adriana Fortune
Gourmet Trading Co.
[email protected]
www.gourmettrading.net
