Strawberry production strong from Florida

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

“The recent cold snap in Florida did not do any long-lasting harm to the strawberry plants, so production should be good during the months of February and March, with peak production being sometime in the beginning of March,” Grabowski said.

Florida growing conditions in mid-February were also very good, he said. 

“The weather always seems to get on track by this time of the year, leading to good production volume,” Grabowski said. “Our strawberry supply will be as good or slightly better than last year, as long as the weather cooperates. If the weather in Florida gets too warm as the season progresses, that will bring an early end to the season as the berries will not be hardy enough to ship long distances.”

Well-Pict plans to attend The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Springs, Calif., in early June, Grabowski said. 

“We are excited to connect with our retail partners and creating new relationships in person,” Grabowski said. The marketer also is offering its free Well-Pict digital point-of-sale kit. 

“The retailer kit is filled with resources to help our partners market and care for their berries to help them minimize waste and maximize profits,” he said. 

Signs point to continued strong berry demand, Grabowski said.

“Prior to the pandemic, consumers were shifting towards a whole food-based diet as they look for ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

“ Consumer demand for strawberries, both conventional and organic, has only gotten stronger as this trend continues to grow. Strawberries continue to be a sales leader in produce sections, and we believe that this year will be no different.”