Latest News From Summer Berries

Berries are doing fairly well nationwide, despite some typical weather challenges in dry California, a rainy or chilly spring in the Southeast, and atypical hailstorms in North Carolina that reduced the blueberry crop.

Is bigger better? Can big berries still taste as sweet as those tiny powerhouses? And does local matter more in the case of berry flavor?

Since COVID-19 burst onto the scene in early March, much of the California Strawberry Commission’s energy has been focused on health and safety on the farm and developing tools and resources for farmworkers.

Raspberries and blackberries were the fastest-growing fruit categories in the produce department during the period from 2006-08 to 2016-18, based on average annual per capita consumption.

Blueberries continue to attract a strong following in the U.S. They’ve shown the third-highest rate of growth in the fruit category, after raspberries and blackberries.

As of the first week of June, strawberry movement was on track to beat last year’s 202 million trays by a little over 16 million, according to the Watsonville-based California Strawberry Commission.

A fruitful season should be in store for the summer berry categories, as grower-shippers report ample supplies of good-quality fruit.

Rainy weather kept a damper on California’s strawberry volume throughout the winter and late spring, but grower-shippers said shipments were rebounding as summer approached.

The early blueberry crops out of Georgia and North Carolina this spring were somewhat disappointing, but supplies were picking up as the harvest moved westward, said Luciano Fiszman.

Consumers looking for berries to enhance their picnics or barbecues this summer won’t be disappointed.

Check out the latest happening in the berry landscape, from California to Michigan to Oregon to Alabama.

MBG Marketing, a Grand Junction, Mich.-based grower co-op, will have 5% to 7% more blueberry volume out of Michigan this season than last as a result of new membership, said CEO Larry Ensfield.

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, will its hold its 12th skirt steak barbecue on July 17 to benefit eight local charities.

A number of promotional programs are on tap this summer to boost berry consumption. Here’s a look at some of them.

Consumers from Maine to New York City could see a greater focus on fresh-market wild blueberries this summer as the Orono, Maine-based Wild Blueberry Commission sets out to capitalize on some new consumer research.

Not long ago, strawberries were considered the mainstay of the berry category, and bush berries were something consumers might pick up for an occasional treat.

It’s still relatively early in the season, but California strawberry volume seemed headed for its third record strawberry crop in a row as of early June.

Business updates from companies featured in The Packer's Summer Berries section.