Chilean cherries and blueberries are both looking very strong at the end of 2021, according to Karen Brux, managing director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.

In fact, the Chilean Blueberry Committee projects global export volumes of 117,000 tons, similar to the total exported the previous season.

“The season has just started, with 196,000 boxes (563 tons) shipped season to date to the U.S.,” Brux said. “We’ll be promoting from December through February.”

Rooting thousands of strawberry plants on elevated tables the first week of October, Oppy, under the Ocean Spray license, will launch the first-ever specialty berry pack in the Happy Berry label mid-December. The hydroponic tabletop strawberry concept was developed by New Wave Berry LLC which is a joint venture formed by grower, marketer and distributor Oppy, agricultural investment firm Farmers Gate and family-owned agribusiness Red Dog Management, which is growing the crop in Santa Maria, CA.

The blueberry and raspberry production from Mexico is steady with Peru expected to increase. Raspberry volume in Oxnard, CA, will continue through November. The blackberry volume in Mexico is expected to peak through the beginning of December. Quality has been very good, and a steady supply is expected for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Bobalu was recently honored by receiving two separate industry awards.  The first award was in recognition of creative work in development of their new website, and the second was acknowledging the company’s efforts in reducing food waste.

Torrential rains in the Salinas/Watsonville area of California, limited Mexican supply and a delay to the start of the Southern California strawberry area have tightened up the strawberry market.

Industry observers estimate that prices are up almost 50 percent (to $17, with potential to reach $30 within the month) compared to last week.

According to observers, strawberry prices are likely to remain volatile until the Southern California crops reach the market. 

A year after opening its U.S. office in Monterey, CA, Giddings Berries USA continues to expand its presence as it builds out its staff and prepares for increased volume both immediately and over the next several years.