Strawberries
Berry growers and trade associations in the U.S., Mexico and South America are pledging to use 100% recycle-ready packaging for all fresh berries by 2025.
Thanks to mostly favorable growing weather, Florida grower-shippers anticipate a strong spring season for their fruits and vegetables.
The Cal Poly Strawberry Center is inviting strawberry industry participation at its annual industry field day on July 18.
Driscoll’s is seeing increases in its Baja California, Mexico, Fair Trade program, with a 14% hike in acreage in 2019 and a goal to have all production certified by the end of the year.
Delayed rain in Chile and Mexico and freezes in Southern California could mean the national market needs more volume from Southeastern berry growers.
Main Street Produce, Santa Maria, Calif., has hired Roger Privett III as sales and business development manager.
It’s more difficult to grow organic berries in the humid, rainy Southeastern part of the U.S. compared to arid California, but growers in Florida are still increasing their stock.
Kyla Oberman has returned to berries, as California Giant’s director of marketing.
A robotic strawberry harvester known as the T-6 from Advanced Farm Technologies, Davis, Calif., has received a $7.5 million boost from investors in a Series A funding round.
Big California volume was contributing to low shipping point prices and strong promotion opportunities for California strawberries in mid-May.
Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., has a smartphone app that brings new labels on its berry packs to life with augmented reality.
Crunchies, a line of single-serve chocolate-covered freeze-dried fruit snacks will be on display at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit.
Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., has promoted Jim Roberts to president of sales, a new position at the company.
California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, Calif., has named Joe Barsi president of the company.
Well-Pict Berries, Watsonville, Calif., offers organic strawberries year-round, and the upcoming Florida season is off to a good start.
Five Crowns Marketing, Brawley, Calif., is expanding berry and asparagus volumes, and is adding industry veterans and facilities to support the increase.
Driscoll’s plans to donate more than $4 million globally, with funds to health clinics and food banks, fresh berry donations and community resources in response to the worldwide pandemic.
The greenhouse category is expanding every year as growers look for more items that can be produced indoors, and as they ramp up the volume of the ones they already have.
This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.
North Bay Produce Inc. was established as Wilderness Fresh Produce in 1984, its primary focus was Michigan apples, said Brian Klumpp, director of marketing and strategic development.
North American berry grower-shippers are responding to consumer and retailer pressure to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic.
Cannabidiol oil applied to strawberries can extend the berry’s shelf life, according to research published in ScienceDirect from University of South Florida scientists.
The Blueberry Coalition for Progress & Health, a group that includes domestic blueberry importers and foreign grower groups, has formed to oppose limitations on imports of the berries.
“When we have cooler years, the berry quality is a lot sweeter and firmer...this year’s quality of fruit is going to be next-level. Hopefully, the market will prevail, and everyone is happy, COVID notwithstanding.”
The value of U.S. apple exports fell 11% in 2020, but government trade statistics show that orange exports increased in value by 8%.
Don’t miss anything from these Santa Maria California produce companies.
Artificial intelligence can tell which strawberries will taste better, according to new University of Florida research.
California strawberries grown hydroponically on tabletops and sold under the Ocean Spray brand are a new market opportunity for The Oppenheimer Group.
With fruit from Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas-Watsonville, Naturipe Farms expects promotable supplies starting in early April and continuing through the summer.
Strawberries are one of the many delicious fruits that come from California (among other places.) Sink your teeth into these California strawberry business updates.