Posts Tagged “domestic blueberry shipments”
Good volume berry shipments are expected from U.S. shippers the rest of the summer and a huge volume increase is in the forecast for imported Peruvian blueberries.
In early July, California strawberry shippers had moved over 105 million trays, compared to 121.4 million trays at the same time a year ago. Rain during the winter and spring followed by a heatwave the second week of June had California strawberry loadings running below last year’s numbers.
Besides strawberries there are other competing fruit shipments ranging from cherries, to stone fruit and melons.
Blueberry Shipments
Gourmet Tranding Co. of Los Angeles reports domestic blueberry shipments should remain strong for at least the next couple of months, continuing through September. However, domestic “blues” are expected to have some strong competition from Peruvian blueberry imports, which is seen increasing as much as 50 percent over a year ago. Those imports begin in August and continue through January and possibly into February.
The vast majority of domestic blueberry shipments during the summer are originating out of Michigan, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. All of these areas are reporting good crops.
Other Berry Shipments
Summertime means peak shipments for domestic raspberries and blackberries. A hot spell in California during June did not have as severe an impact on raspberries as it did on strawberries.
California raspberry shipments should continue into mid-November out of Watsonville. Razz loadings will then transition to Ventura County, before switching to Mexico for the winter.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville will be shipping California raspberries until late September or early October before shifting to Mexico.
Domestic blueberry shipments got underway in mid-April from Georgia and should wind down in the Northwest in late summer or early fall.
North Carolina blueberry loadings started in early May and California is just now entering its peak shipping period.
New Jersey blueberry shipments will be launched in mid-June, followed soon thereafter by Indiana and Oregon. Dry weather during the growing season may adversely affect Oregon blueberry volume.
Washington State enters the picture in late June with shipments continuing until early to mid-September.
Naturipe Berry Growers of Salinas, CA ships blueberries year-round and was loading in good volume from Delano and Bakersfield in early May.
Although cool weather held up the start of the crop, volume was picking up in April as conditions improved.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville has competed its shipments of Georgia blueberries and has switched to California, with volume expected to be normal.
J&B Blueberry Farms Inc. of Manor, GA will be shipping blueberries until early July.
New Jersey blueberry shipments should start in mid June, continuing into mid August.
Michigan will wrap up the domestic season with loadings underway about July 1st and continuing into September.