Latest News From Strawberries

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

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

The Cal Poly Strawberry Center plays an active role in strawberry industry research, most recently delivering 23 presentations or posters at the 10th North American Strawberry Symposium held in San Luis Obispo in March.

Despite the Golden State experiencing record rain followed by a levee break, a strong outlook remains for the upcoming crop.

“For the farms that were flooded, this catastrophe hit at the worst possible time. Farmers had borrowed money to prepare the fields and were weeks away from beginning to harvest," said CSC's Rick Tomlinson.

Mighty Reds joins Naturipe Farms’ proprietary big blueberries, Mighty Blues, in the company’s line of extra-large berries.

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company says it has reevaluated its programs and refocused its priorities in an effort to become a "leading sustainable supplier."

More varieties of strawberries are slowly joining leafy greens in the indoor, vertically grown scene, becoming available at commercial scale.

“This research adds to the growing body of scientific evidence supporting the role of strawberry consumption in promoting heart health,” said the California Strawberry Commission.  

Consumers love strawberries, and they are showing big enthusiasm for organic strawberries.

It may have taken a while for stores to see the benefit of making 2-pound clamshells a daily shelf item, but retailers have discovered that the 2-pounder can work as more than just a sale item.

Wyard Stomp has been promoted to managing director for Driscoll’s of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Southern California’s strawberry season got off to a soggy start this year, with nearly 4 inches of rain falling in the Oxnard growing area in January. The rains put a damper on early season picking.

The outlook is good for the California strawberry crop despite statewide storm damage, says the California Strawberry Commission.

The strawberry grower-shipper is increasing its presence in Central Mexico the same year that it kicks off its first strawberry season at its Baja, Calif. farm.

Florida strawberry production for Wish Farms should see an increase in volume for 2022-23, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager for the Plant City, Fla.-based grower-shipper.

Florida strawberries are entering their prime time.

Florida strawberry volume is increasing for Well-Pict Berries, says Jim Grabowski, director of marketing.

Florida strawberries are expected to show increasing volume for Christmas and New Year celebrations, says Sue Harrell, marketing director for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.

Conditions look excellent for GEM-Pack Florida strawberries, says Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing for the company.

Bova Fresh LLC has increased acreage of Florida strawberries this season and has excellent crop prospects, says Bob Wilhelm, owner of the Boca Raton, Fla.-based marketer.

The 2022-23 season marks the 100th anniversary of Astin Farms, and Payton Astin, marketing director for the Plant City, Fla.-based supplier, said that milestone will be celebrated.

The Watsonville, Calif.- based producer has enlisted the berry veteran to lead field operations and product supply.

University of Florida researchers have found UV light to be an effective physical control for the two-spotted spider mites that have preyed on Florida’s winter strawberry crops.

The Salinas, Calif.-based grower-packer-shipper of premium strawberries says deal offers opportunities for growth.

Watsonville, Calif.-based berry grower anticipates an ample strawberry crop from California’s central coast this October.

Plenty Unlimited Inc., the city of Richmond, VA and Driscoll's team up to deliver vertically farmed strawberries in vertical farming campus behemoth in late 2023.

Watsonville, Calif.-based Driscoll’s has launched its latest digital projects to help inform consumers about the brand’s high-flavor strawberry options.

Knappe has been in the produce industry for nine years, specifically working in packaging supply and inventory management within the berry industry.

The company has been “producing smoothly and efficiently” Since the company merged with Salinas, Calif.-based Red Blossom Sales Inc. last fall, said Craig Casca, chief marketing officer.

The Nipomo, Calif., company ships out of the Santa Maria, Calif., area year-round, and that business plan seems to be working out well for the company, said Will McCarthy, commodity manager.

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company, now in its 60th year of farming strawberries, has launched an annual scholarship program.

Summer’s almost half over, but there still are plenty of tasty California strawberries available for retail and foodservice promotions.

Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries has added private label packaging to its mix for one of the firm’s foodservice customers, said Cindy Jewell, marketing representative for the company.

New York State strawberries are flourishing this year, thanks to a cool, rainy and early spring that produced prime conditions for budding plants, says the New York State Berry Growers Association.

A daily serving of freeze-dried strawberry powder, equivalent to one cup of fresh berries, lowered total cholesterol by almost 3% and LDL cholesterol by almost 5%, according to a new study.

These bright red berries continued to be a consumer favorite in 2021, finding favor as the No. 2 most popular fruit in Fresh Trends 2022 — a title typically held by apples.

Let’s talk about some fancy Japanese berries with a price tag that makes you pause — even when that price is slashed by 60%.

When the annual arts festival in Westford, Mass., begins, that's when you know it's time for strawberries.

Berries and summer are synonymous. And right on cue, the sweet, juicy little orbs are making their way across North America as temperatures warm and consumers head outdoors.

Ontario-based Ever Tru Farms, a greenhouse grower of strawberries, has announced its first shipment of strawberries to select stores in the U.S. and Canada. 

New York City-based indoor vertical grower Bowery Farming launched a two-variety pack of strawberries — the first commercial release beyond leafy greens and herbs for the agtech company.

A year after announcing their joint research and development work to grow strawberries indoors, Driscoll’s and Plenty Unlimited Inc. say they are expanding their relationship.

Selections at the supermarket are sometimes based on a whim, but when you look at consumer data and track the trends, Organic Fresh Trends research shows that shoppers search for particular items in organic form.

Florida strawberry production for Gem Pack Berries will continue strong into spring, said Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing for the Irvine, Calif.-based company.

U.S. fresh blueberry and raspberry per-capita availability at the retail level has more than doubled in the past decade, according to USDA data. 

Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict Berries expects good strawberry production from Florida in the next two months, said Jim Grabowski, director of marketing.

2022 Fresh Trends data on the state of berries in the Southeast region of the U.S., as well as a few interesting facts and tidbits about the berries themselves.

Naturipe Farms has increased strawberry acreage in Oxnard and additional acreage throughout the company’s main growing regions in California, said Jerry Moran, vice president of sales for Naturipe Farms.

Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict Berries grows its Southern California proprietary strawberry varieties on approximately 1,200 acres in Oxnard, Calif., said Jim Grabowski, director of marketing.