Latest News From Strawberries

Oishii raises $134M in Series B funding
Oishii raises $134M in Series B funding

The vertical indoor strawberry grower says the funds are expected to accelerate growth. The brand plans to open a solar-powered facility, expand distribution to new markets and continue to invest in advanced robotics.

Grower-shippers optimistic about productive Southeast berry season
Grower-shippers optimistic about productive Southeast berry season

Here's why they expect to see ample volume of good-quality strawberries, blueberries and blackberries during the late winter and early spring period.

Researchers tout new Lumina strawberry variety
Researchers tout new Lumina strawberry variety

Researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service's strawberry breeding program in Beltsville, Md., are touting the benefits of a new variety well suited to the mid-Atlantic region.

FreshDirect offers Valentine's Day limited-edition strawberries
FreshDirect offers Valentine's Day limited-edition strawberries

FreshDirect is touting curated offerings, including Oishii's limited-edition holiday gift box and Driscoll's Sweetest Batch strawberries.

Strong Southern California strawberry deal expected
Strong Southern California strawberry deal expected

It can be difficult to forecast with certainty what the Southern California strawberry crop will look like in winter, but as of early this year, grower-shippers were predicting ample supplies of good-quality berries.

Tajín-dipped California strawberries trending for Valentine's Day
Tajín-dipped California strawberries trending for Valentine's Day

Tajín and California Strawberries are highlighting how Tajín-dipped strawberries are a growing trend for Valentine's Day.

Strawberries should be set for Valentine’s Day needs
Strawberries should be set for Valentine’s Day needs

Strawberries and Valentine’s Day go together, and Southern California strawberry grower-shippers say there should be plenty of the heart-shaped fruit on hand for the most romantic day of the year.

Bobalu Berry Farms strawberry volume has strong start to year
Bobalu Berry Farms strawberry volume has strong start to year

January has been much more forgiving in 2024 with the volume coming out of Oxnard, Calif., currently double of what it was at this time in 2023, the company says.

Naturipe touts 'New Era of Berries' with strong supply
Naturipe touts 'New Era of Berries' with strong supply

Naturipe says retailers can take advantage of peak volumes during its FeBLUEary promotional campaign.

Florida strawberries hit peak-season stride
Florida strawberries hit peak-season stride

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences shares the keys to the state's strawberry success.

Survey shows consumer preferences for organic strawberry purchases
Survey shows consumer preferences for organic strawberry purchases

One detail from The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 survey shows that younger consumers were the most frequent purchasers of organic strawberries exclusively. 

What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up
What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up

Picking for most growers in the Sunshine State got underway in early to mid-November, and supplies were slowly but surely picking up throughout December.

Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans
Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans

Print, digital and retail promotions such as grocery cart ads, weekly circulars, social media campaigns, shoppable ads and more will be used to spread the word about the Sunshine State’s juicy red strawberries.

University of Florida research center offers standout strawberry varieties
University of Florida research center offers standout strawberry varieties

If you’re buying Florida strawberries, chances are they’re one of three varieties developed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.

Florida Strawberry Growers Association honors Wish Farms owner
Florida Strawberry Growers Association honors Wish Farms owner

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association has inducted Gary Wishnatzki into its hall of fame for his innovations in the berry industry.

Florida strawberry industry launching new tech-driven marketing
Florida strawberry industry launching new tech-driven marketing

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association will aim to entice consumers with the rallying cry, "Love Florida Strawberries!" as part of its marketing initiatives for the 2023-24 winter strawberry season.

In the spotlight: Gem-Pack Berries on staying 'nimble' and growing its berry business
In the spotlight: Gem-Pack Berries on staying 'nimble' and growing its berry business

The Packer caught up with Gem-Pack Berries on camera at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about the company’s strong growth and family-focused approach.

Ever Tru Farms enters the U.S. market with Kentucky greenhouse collaboration
Ever Tru Farms enters the U.S. market with Kentucky greenhouse collaboration

Bosch Growers, based in the Netherlands, is partnering with Ever Tru Farms to distribute premium strawberries, which will carry the Ever Tru Farms label.

Frutura acquires Sun Belle and Giddings Fruits, advancing berry business
Frutura acquires Sun Belle and Giddings Fruits, advancing berry business

“For us, it was a perfect, unicorn type of an event — you just don't get these kinds of opportunities very often, if ever,” Frutura’s CEO David Krause tells The Packer in a Q&A about what these acquisitions mean.

Meet Driscoll’s new CEO
Meet Driscoll’s new CEO

Soren Bjorn has been appointed as the next CEO of Driscoll’s, bringing with him 17 years leading programs and initiatives at the California-based global berry marketer.

Bayer expands into strawberries
Bayer expands into strawberries

Bayer has announced the expansion of its fruits and vegetables business to strawberries.

Berry imports, organic strawberries show rapid growth
Berry imports, organic strawberries show rapid growth

The observations come from a USDA Economic Research Service report examining changes in domestic production, consumption, prices and trade for strawberries and blueberries over two decades.

California strawberry industry applauds executive order to address historical flooding
California strawberry industry applauds executive order to address historical flooding

The work includes levee repairs and debris removal to help protect and prepare local communities in anticipation of another possible wet season

Getting inspired by Bobalu staff's favorite strawberry recipes
Getting inspired by Bobalu staff's favorite strawberry recipes

The staff at Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries have been enjoying fresh strawberries straight from the ranch and motivating each other with their creations.

Fresh Trends 2023: More than half of consumers bought strawberries last year
Fresh Trends 2023: More than half of consumers bought strawberries last year

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 showed that 52% of all consumers said they purchased fresh strawberries in the past year.

Sunset to launch Ohio-grown organic strawberries at IFPA show
Sunset to launch Ohio-grown organic strawberries at IFPA show

Fourth-generation, family-owned greenhouse grower Mastronardi Produce is set to launch its new United States-grown Sunset Wow Organic strawberries at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif., Oct. 19-21.

Strawberries ramp up after slow start
Strawberries ramp up after slow start

Strawberry grower-shippers say buyers can expect plenty of good-quality strawberries from California through summer and into fall despite an inauspicious start to the season.

Circana ranks Driscoll’s among America’s top 10 retail grocery brands 
Circana ranks Driscoll’s among America’s top 10 retail grocery brands 

Flexing its branded produce power, Driscoll's has secured a spot among the top 10 retail grocery brands based on data from Circana Integrated Fresh Market Advantage, Food, for the 52 weeks ending May 21, 2023.

Nature Fresh Farms introduces organic greenhouse strawberry 
Nature Fresh Farms introduces organic greenhouse strawberry 

As weather woes continue to challenge field berry supplies, greenhouse producer Nature Fresh Farms has launched new greenhouse-grown, organic strawberries.

Organic berry sales remain strong
Organic berry sales remain strong

The Organic Fresh Trends 2023 survey showed that 16% of consumers said they purchased organic blackberries exclusively, 15% purchased organic strawberries exclusively, and 14% purchased organic blueberries exclusively.

Bobalu Berries stresses health, recipe messages to consumers
Bobalu Berries stresses health, recipe messages to consumers

Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries farms exclusively in Santa Maria during the summer months, says Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing.

Seven Seas expects stable strawberry volume
Seven Seas expects stable strawberry volume

Seven Seas, a division of the Tom Lange Company Inc., has been growing and marketing California and Mexican strawberries for decades.

Naturipe looks for best-ever summer berry volume
Naturipe looks for best-ever summer berry volume

Naturipe will have plentiful berry supplies this summer, says Jim Roberts, president of sales for the Naples, Fla.-based marketer of both conventional and organic fruit.

​​​​​​​Gem-Pack Berries looking good for summer berry supply
​​​​​​​Gem-Pack Berries looking good for summer berry supply

Gem-Pack Berries LLC is excited about its recent merger with Well-Pict and Gem-Pack’s exponential growth over the last two years, says Michelle Deleissegues, vice president of marketing for Gem-Pack.

California Strawberry Commission appoints two new leaders
California Strawberry Commission appoints two new leaders

The California agency has tapped William Turechek as its next vice president of research and Jeff Cardinale as its new director of communications.

Strawberry consumption grows while imports surge
Strawberry consumption grows while imports surge

Strawberry consumption continues to surge, according to data from the USDA.

Gem-Pack and Well-Pict Berries combine companies
Gem-Pack and Well-Pict Berries combine companies

The Irvine, Calif.-based Gem-Pack is “excited to welcome the Well-Pict team and its impactful brand into the company’s already dynamic assemblage.”

Robot arms to harvest Oishii strawberries
Robot arms to harvest Oishii strawberries

The robots are here. And they're harvesting our fruit.

California Giant Berry Farms eyes promotable strawberry volumes
California Giant Berry Farms eyes promotable strawberry volumes

The Watsonville, Calif.-based company predicts a bountiful summer of California strawberries ahead, as it forecasts promotable volumes of its cornerstone product.

Berry per capita availability growth shines
Berry per capita availability growth shines

The USDA reports that the gains in retail per capita consumption for berries have been very strong compared with many other fresh fruits.

Well-Pict gearing up for West Coast Produce Expo
Well-Pict gearing up for West Coast Produce Expo

Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict is taking its trade show team to the West Coast Produce Expo, company officials say.

Strawberry volume expected to increase for Bobalu in May
Strawberry volume expected to increase for Bobalu in May

Strawberry numbers are increasing for Bobalu LLC in early May, says Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing for the Oxnard, Calif.-based marketer.

Berries' versatility and ‘superfruit’ status fuel decade of strong growth
Berries' versatility and ‘superfruit’ status fuel decade of strong growth

“What can't berries do?” says Mike Mauti, managing partner with Canada-based Execulytics Consulting. Industry experts recently offered reasons for berries' sales growth and sustained consumer appeal.

Berry boom: Well-Pict expects big volume through May and beyond
Berry boom: Well-Pict expects big volume through May and beyond

With a berry boom continuing in May after starting in April, Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict will showcase its premium, proprietary conventional and organic strawberries and conventional raspberries.

Berries show mixed price trends
Berries show mixed price trends

Average fob berry prices in the U.S. declined for strawberries, blueberries and raspberries in 2022, while the average fob for blackberries climbed.

 Naturipe expects big berry volumes
 Naturipe expects big berry volumes

Naturipe will have very strong supplies of berries throughout the spring and summer of 2023, says Jerry Moran, vice president of sales for the Watsonville, Calif.-based marketer.

Gem-Pack Berries looks to help retailers with berry transitions
Gem-Pack Berries looks to help retailers with berry transitions

Gem-Pack Berries is focused on coordinatingwith its retail customers to work through delays and transition into a successful late spring and summer berry season.

UC Davis releases 5 strawberry varieties resistant to deadly fungal disease
UC Davis releases 5 strawberry varieties resistant to deadly fungal disease

Fusarium wilt is one of the most common reasons for crop loss and death, yet 55% to 59% of cultivars planted in the state since 2014 have not been resistant, according to research from University of California, Davis.

What's ahead for California table grapes, strawberries and cherries
What's ahead for California table grapes, strawberries and cherries

After a tough growing season characterized by rain, snow and unusually low winter temperatures, some project a promising year for summer fruit.

Exclusive strawberry luxury reaches new heights
Exclusive strawberry luxury reaches new heights

Strawberries are becoming like semi-precious jewels as yet another produce category that’s gaining sophistication, variety and premiumization.