Statewide Strawberry Update
We are still in the heat of summer but volume is tight and demand is taking its usual summer vacation. Each year about this time demand does drop off a little as consumers step away from their normal grocery shopping routines in favor of vacation. We are seeing a slight decrease in strawberry volume throughout the state as each region has moved beyond the peak.
Bobalu Crop Update
As we approach the end of July, we are getting inquiries about our next strawberry crop for 2024. We look forward to the fall program starting soon, but still have some nice fruit being shipped from our Spring crop here on the west side of Santa Maria. Volume here is tight, but we expect these ranches along the coast to continue to produce at this rate until we can transition to the fall crop once it comes on strong. We are sticking to our three day rotation ensuring best fruit goes into the box and quality is consistent throughout the pack.
As in past seasons, we expect our fall crop here in Santa Maria to begin harvest in mid-August. Volume will get stronger as we approach the end of August and Labor Day. The plants look very healthy and are on schedule here on the west side. As the volume ramps up, it will help offset the slowing numbers from the Spring crop and keep volume consistent until we add more fruit from the fall Oxnard crop which comes on later. We look forward to a great fall season ahead.
IFPA Foodservice Conference
For those of you attending the IFPA Foodservice Conference, we hope to see you! Please stop by our booth #419 and hear more about our fall crop coming on, the new Salma variety we have in the ground, and what have in the works for our 2025 program.
