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The Wisconsin potato outlook is relatively strong, but industry leaders say the crop is running a bit behind schedule.

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

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.

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.

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.

North Carolina was by far and away the no. 1 state in fresh sweet potato shipments in 2021, according to USDA data.

About one in three consumers say they have purchased sweet potatoes in the last year, The Packer’s 2022 Fresh Trends survey reveals.

Sand Candy Produce LLC will feature good volume of sweet potatoes during the 2022-2023 marketing season, says Delbert Bland, Sand Candy partner and owner of Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms owner.

Nashville, N.C.-based Nash Produce expects to have a strong sweet potato supply this year, says Thomas Joyner, president.

The Washington fresh apple crop is projected at 108.7 million standard forty-pound boxes, an 11.1% decrease from 2021’s 122.3 million boxes, according to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.