As the midpoint of California's blueberry season approaches, growers expect peak volumes to hit during the first part of June.“We've had cool weather recently, but the weather has warmed up in time for peak volumes” noted Jerry Moran of California Giant Berry Farms. He said peak production should take place within the next two weeks.
The season, which typically runs from May through the end of June, has been a week ahead of schedule. The weather, aside from spring hail storms which didn't significantly affect statewide production, has been favorable, which has made for good quality and sizing.
Volume is anticipated to be similar to 2011's total production. If that's the case, then production would be slightly lower than what growers expected at the beginning of the season, given the past few season's year-over-year growth. Though Moran stresses that this year has been good with promotable supplies at good prices.
“Movement has been going fairly well,” he said. “It's been a decent market and prices have been good for the volume we have.” He added that he expects the market will hold steady throughout the end of the season. On May 30, the USDA reported prices for a flat of blueberries out of California to be between $20 and $24.90.