Shipments of domestic raspberries and blackberries has ramped up, and with shipments underway from Mexico. Growers anticipate an overall good season this year despite a slower start than last year.
The USDA reports as of April 19, black berry loadings was at about 6.3 million pounds from California, Georgia and North Carolina, down from about 9.5 million pounds at the same time in 2024. Total 2024 fresh market volume was 62.3 million pounds.
Fresh market shipments of raspberries as of April 19 was 720,000 pounds from California, down from 1.9 million pounds in 2024. Total fresh market volume for 2024 was 63.5 million pounds of conventional and 27.7 million pounds of organic.
North Bay Produce of Traverse City, MI sources blackberries from Mexico year-round, while Georgia started in May, followed by North Carolina in June. Raspberries are shipped from Mexico from October to June and from California from June to October.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA has peak shipments of raspberries from August to November. Peak loadings for blackberries is June through October. Both are sourced primarily from Watsonville and Mexico.
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