Latest News From Strawberries

Good growing weather is spurring on Southern California strawberry production for California Giant Berry Farms, said Kevin Dwyer, district manager for the Watsonville, Calif.-based marketer.

For the first time , Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries will ship fresh strawberries from California for the entire year, said Cindy Jewell, marketing representative.

Wish Farms California is present in all the main strawberry growing regions of Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas, said Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager for Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms.

Strawberries got a boost this year, claiming No. 2 fruit in the 2022 Fresh Trends study, with just over 56% of those surveyed saying they have purchased fresh strawberries in the past twelve months.

The Well•Pict tradeshow crew is heading to Hollywood, Fla., for the Global Organic Produce Expo, going on Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Vancouver, British Columbia-based Oppy has released its first-ever hydroponic strawberry collection Happy Berry, the company announced in a news release. 

As Bobalu Berry Farms reflects on their 60-year anniversary coming into the 2022 season, the Jones Family views 2021 as the real milestone year completing the transition to a fully integrated company.   

Florida strawberry business updates from companies such as Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Gem-Pack and Wish Farms.

Florida strawberries are profitable and popular in the market because they give retailers the ability to sell and promote a continuous fresh berry program to consumers all year long.

International grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, Wish Farms, is proud to announce the fifth berry to its lineup: Pink-A-Boo Pineberries.

While labor issues and competition from California and Mexico are presenting ongoing challenges for the Florida strawberry industry.

California Giant Berry Farms, a leading producer of fresh, sustainable berries, today announced its forecast for a strong winter strawberry crop, led by its Florida and Mexico growing regions. 

California Giant Berry Farms, a leader in fresh sustainable berries, today unveiled its new website, www.calgiant.com.

Rooting thousands of strawberry plants on elevated tables the first week of October, Oppy, under the Ocean Spray license, will launch the first-ever specialty berry pack in the Happy Berry™ label mid-December.

The J.R. Simplot Company has announced it has entered a strategic alliance with Plant Sciences Inc., a Watsonville, CA-based plant breeding company, to drive new breeding techniques for strawberries.

Strawberries aren’t ready yet this fall so far, but on Nov. 26, 2020, strawberry shipments from Florida had 4,923 packages of eight 1-pound containers with lids — or almost 40,000 pounds, according to the AMS.

When it comes to fall and early winter produce in Florida, it depends on the hurricane season. And yes, growers and marketers also watch for any frosts that pop up in what’s supposed to be the Sunshine State.

Bobalu was recently honored by receiving two separate industry awards.

U.S. imports of fresh and frozen fruits rose by 11% in value from September 2020 through August 2021, newly released trade statistics show.

Oishii, the produce company behind the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm, announced the opening of their newest farm in Los Angeles.

GEM-Pack Berries LLC and Red Blossom Sales Inc. are combining forces.

Kubota Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have invested in U.S. startup Advanced Farm Technologies.

Strawberries typically aren’t thought of as “fall fruit,” but plenty of promotable volume will be available in the months ahead.

Watsonville, Calif.-based Driscoll’s has installed 3,384 solar panels on its 155,000 square-foot cooling facility in Santa Maria, Calif., which is estimated to generate 1.4 million kilowatt-hours of power annually. 

Nashville, Tenn., is the location of the North American Strawberry Growers Association 2022 Meeting and Conference, Jan. 16-19.

To boost retail berries’ shelf life and profits, Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict is offering enrollment in a virtual Well-Pict Berry Academy.

The American Society of Agronomy shared research findings about keeping a consistent supply of desirable strawberries in a June 7 post on the Sustainable, Secure Food Blog.

Prices for strawberries around the nation ranged from 98 cents to $6.99 per 1-pound clamshell on June 23, according to U.S. Marketing Services.

Organic berry sales topped $760 million in 2019 and comprised 12.3% of total retail berry sales, according to data from IRI. Marketers moved more than 13.7 million pounds of berries in 2019.

California Giant Berry Farms partners with OnePointOne to boost berry innovation

Is bigger better? Can big berries still taste as sweet as those tiny powerhouses? And does local matter more in the case of berry flavor?

The California Strawberry Commission has launched a campaign to connect the heart of strawberries with the heart of people.

Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries do well on social media, with their natural good looks and sweet nature.

Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries do well on social media, with their natural good looks and sweet nature.

Leamington, Ontario-based Nature Fresh Farms is expanding its greenhouse strawberry acreage from one to 16 acres, with help from growing partner Cielo Vista, to be completed this fall.

The long sought-after fountain of youth may have been hidden in plain sight. Three new studies suggest strawberries may be associated with slowing down aging of the brain, cardiovascular system, and gut microbiome.

April signals the start of strawberry season in North Carolina, and local growers are optimistic about the 2021 season and anticipate a crop that should last through Memorial Day. 

Artificial intelligence can tell which strawberries will taste better, according to new University of Florida research.

Don't miss anything from these Santa Maria California produce companies.

Strawberries are one of the many delicious fruits that come from California (among other places.) Sink your teeth into these California strawberry business updates.

With fruit from Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas-Watsonville, Naturipe Farms expects promotable supplies starting in early April and continuing through the summer.

California strawberries grown hydroponically on tabletops and sold under the Ocean Spray brand are a new market opportunity for The Oppenheimer Group.

Read how shippers say retail sales of Santa Maria produce can be more effective.

Expectations are high for the first-ever Ocean Spray® specialty berry pack which debuts this fall, backed by a trio of partners intent on elevating the category with a unique tabletop strawberry proposition. 

While spring is the prime time for California strawberries, two new varieties from the Public Strawberry Breeding Program at the UC Davis, will provide big, flavorful strawberries throughout fall and winter.

Social media and digital outlets have become more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, California strawberry marketers say.

Berry marketer Wish Farms has opened the doors to its new headquarters in Plant City, Fla. 

With added acreage this year and production continuing to rise, marketers see a bright future for California strawberries.

Clamshell packaging is still dominant for California strawberries, marketers say, but there is industry investment in sustainable packaging options.

2021 is shaping up to be a big year for California strawberries.