For the past six years, strawberries claimed the No. 3 fruit spot of The Packer’s annual Fresh Trends Data and Research study, just behind apples and bananas. But this year, the berries got a boost, claiming No. 2 fruit in the 2022 study, with just over 56% of those surveyed saying they have purchased fresh strawberries in the past twelve months.
That’s just slightly down (-1.9%) from the 2021 Fresh Trends data results.
Out of survey respondents located on the West Coast, 50% had purchased strawberries in the past 12 months, down 11% from 2021. And, of those, 60% stated they have purchased only conventional and 19% have only purchased organic strawberries over the past 12 months.
California grows nearly 90% of all strawberries produced in the U.S., according to the California Strawberry Commission’s website, and accounts for 59.5% of all berry sales. According to its National Berry Report, strawberries of all packaged types produced in California are up approximately 2% from last season.
Total acreage for 2022 reached 38,026 acres, according to the California Strawberry Commission’s Annual District report. California has not seen acreage like that since 2015.
Read related:
Read the entire 2021 Fresh Trends Magazine
Southeast U.S., California berries — Strawberries
Top 20 fruit and vegetable purchases in 2020
Organic strawberries take big chunk of total organic produce sales
