Blackberries
Strawberries aren’t the only berries that shine during the summer. Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries also are berry standouts.
“For us, it was a perfect, unicorn type of an event — you just don’t get these kinds of opportunities very often, if ever,” Frutura’s CEO David Krause tells The Packer in a Q&A about what these acquisitions mean.
Blackberries and raspberries may not top consumers’ shopping lists, but they are commodities that a good number of shoppers pick up at least occasionally.
Flexing its branded produce power, Driscoll’s has secured a spot among the top 10 retail grocery brands based on data from Circana Integrated Fresh Market Advantage, Food, for the 52 weeks ending May 21, 2023.
The Organic Fresh Trends 2023 survey showed that 16% of consumers said they purchased organic blackberries exclusively, 15% purchased organic strawberries exclusively, and 14% purchased organic blueberries exclusively.
Compton, Calif.-based Berry Fresh is again bringing in Sweet Karoline blackberries from Mexico.
Pairwise, a company focusing on genetic-based solutions in food and agriculture, says it has created the first seedless caneberry using CRISPR gene editing.
Berries are rising to the occasion, according to a recent USDA Specialty Crop Retail Report.
Berries are a hit with all demographics, but The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 data reveals where strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries shine.
Here’s why they expect to see ample volume of good-quality strawberries, blueberries and blackberries during the late winter and early spring period.
The new floricane-fruiting variety is said to show excellent storage qualities and grow medium-to-large fruit.
Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries will be offered throughout the summer by North Bay Produce, says Brian Klumpp, director of sales and marketing.
Even considering their growth in the last two decades, blueberries were identified in a poll of industry professionals as the berry with the biggest potential to grow consumption in the next five years.
Blackberries are awesome already, but researchers in Florida are working on boosting their health benefits even more.
At 33%, the rate of consumer-reported blackberry purchases in The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 survey is up from survey results of recent years.
The greenhouse grower says it will continue to hold exclusive rights to market all premium berry proprietary varieties in North America that were previously licensed to Mastronardi BerryWorld America.
HBF International LLC, Sheridan, Ore., has hired a new member for its sales team, said CEO Doug Perkins.
Berry grower Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., is encouraging consumers to support their local Florida businesses affected by the pandemic.
Berry People, a year-round, full-line shipper of branded organic and conventional strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and avocados, recently secured partnerships with growers in Peru.
Sun Belle Inc., Shiller Park, Ill., is expanding relationships with growers following a decision by the Giddings Group, which supplies berries from Mexico and Chile, to market its own berries.
Mastronardi Produce, Kingsville, Ontario, was recognized as having the Best Overall Product Promo at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit for Wow berries.
The Food and Drug Administration has reported three more cases of hepatitis A “potentially linked” to fresh blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores.
Twin River Berries, Portland, Ore., has launched new branding across its berry line.
Whether retailers and consumers are looking for strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, they’ll be able to find them this summer, and they should be pleased with the quality, grower-shippers say.
Good growing weather this winter should result in some exceptional fruit and vegetable crops out of California’s Salinas Valley this season.
Two universities and an association that represents blackberry and raspberry growers are studying retail strategies and how the pandemic is affecting sales.
Sun Belle Inc. has installed a roof-top solar energy system at its Maryland distribution center, with the capacity to offset more than 35% of its energy needs.
Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., is gearing up for the domestic blackberry season, anticipating a positive shift in demand and pricing as production ramps up.
Among fruit and tree nuts, pecan acreage rates are at the top of the heap in Arkansas.
A fruitful season should be in store for the summer berry categories, as grower-shippers report ample supplies of good-quality fruit.