North Bay Produce delivers berries from many sources for year-round program
North Bay Produce delivers berries from many sources for year-round program
As the summer progresses, North Bay Produce is anticipating high-quality domestic and imported berry supplies to continue into the fall, with some areas producing abundant yields.
Aaron Hunter, North Bay’s strawberry category manager and sales associate, said berry demand remains steady throughout the season.
“Our responsibility is to provide retailers with timely information and promotional opportunities that encourage consumers to enjoy more fresh berries,” Hunter said.
Strawberries
Southern California has finished its season and crews there are concentrating on summer planting. Northern California strawberries are of excellent quality, Hunter said, but lower-than-expected volumes are driving market prices higher. Compounding the challenge is a decrease in berry sizes, leading to reduced yields.
“Meanwhile, Mexico is poised to kick off production in early October, and Florida is gearing up to begin activity from late November to early December,” he said.
Blueberries
Michigan kicked off blueberry harvest the first week of July and is “poised for a fantastic season,” Hunter said. “The quality and size of the fruit on the bush are impressive.”
Georgia and North Carolina have wrapped up their seasons, and New Jersey is expected to continue until late July-early August. Harvest of organic and conventional blueberries has begun in the Pacific Northwest and are showing “promise for substantial yields in July and August,” Hunter said.
Peruvian blueberries have started arriving into the U.S., but the majority of the volume from Peru won’t begin until September.
North Bay also offers blueberries from its grower owners in Mexico, with a 10-month window for conventional and organic berries that starts in September. Several intense storms, including Hurricane Erick, caused damage in southern and southwestern Mexico in June.
“We are still gathering information about the fall season’s crop imports,” Hunter said. “As with any storm, there will inevitably be some damage, and often the full extent of this damage isn’t visible until harvest time.”
Raspberries
Mexico is expected to wrap up its raspberry season by the end of July, and California appears to be set for a seamless transition to domestic supplies.
“Both Michigan and the Pacific Northwest are projected to have outstanding crops, creating opportunities for extra promotions during the summer, Hunter said.
Blackberries
North Carolina and South Carolina have taken over as the domestic blackberry suppliers with shipments of Arkansas berries curtailing in mid-July. Expect fewer blackberries from North Carolina, with last September’s Hurricane Helene affecting many fruit and vegetable crops.
“North Carolina has faced a series of unfortunate weather patterns that have disrupted the volumes necessary to meet demand,” Hunter said. “Blackberry supplies from the Carolinas will remain limited throughout the summer as we anticipate the new crop from Mexico in the fall.”
Organic, packaging trends
North Bay Produce has a comprehensive selection of conventional and organic berries year-round. Hunter said organic berry sales are experiencing consistent growth year after year, prompting North Bay growers to expand acreage.
In strawberry packaging, the one-pound clamshells continue to dominate the retail shelves, but consumers have responded to larger packs, such as the two- and four-pound clamshells. For blueberries, one-pint clamshells are the most popular pack.
“Yet, many customers often choose 18 ounces or even two-pound clamshells to satisfy their clients’ specific needs,” Hunter said. “While six-ounce clamshells remain available, most retailers prefer offering a pint as the smallest package size, reflecting a strategic choice in meeting consumer demand.”
