Raspberry supply has been steady for the last few weeks and is about to pick up. “At North Bay, we’re expecting our supply to increase over the next two to three weeks. We’re looking at promotional type volume from now through the month of December,” says Sarah Quackenbush of North Bay Produce.
Right now, raspberry supplies are coming from Mexico. “Supply is pretty typical for this time of year,” says Quackenbush. “The difference is with the other berries right now and how they look compared to last year and how that affects raspberry supply and demand.” That includes things like El Nino, hurricanes, and other weather events affecting blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry production in Mexico, Peru, and California.
The popularity of raspberries
That said, demand is strong for the popular fruit, and it has stayed consistent throughout the Mexican season which started in October. “Part of that is that everybody loves raspberries, but it’s also the struggle with the other berries that have indirectly increased raspberry demand,” adds Quackenbush. Even though that’s starting to change with strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry supplies growing in volume from a few different growing regions, she anticipates raspberry demand to stay strong.
As for pricing, it’s similar to last year year--possibly even slightly stronger.
For more information:
Sharon Robb
North Bay Produce, Inc.
Tel.: +1 (231) 946-1941
srobb@northbayproduce.com
www.northbayproduce.com