Well-Pict volume building in Florida

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

“Our Florida strawberry deal is about four weeks into picking already,” he said in mid-December. “Volume has been slowly building but has been hampered somewhat by the higher-than-normal temperatures.”

Rain on Jan. 15, followed by expected cooler temperatures, should put the crop at normal pace, he said.

“Indications are that by the middle of January volume should start ramping up, with peak volume starting about the first of February and continuing for a few weeks after that,” Grabowski said. 

Organic berry supplies were a bit tight in mid-December, leading to firm prices for growers.

“Organic demand is good overall as it has been for the past few years,” he said. 

Changes

The notable change for Well-Pict’s Florida deal, Grabowski said, is that the company is finally growing a portion of its crop with its own proprietary variety. That has been a goal for Well-Pict since it first started growing strawberries in Florida, he said.

“Early indications are that the fruit quality is looking good and tasting good,” he said.