California Strawberry Shipments Should be Near Record Levels this Year

It’s looking like another good year is shaping up for California strawberry shipments, despite a few punches from Mother Nature. In fact, with a little luck, shipments might set a record.

A fast start for shipments  was the story earlier in California’s 2018 strawberry season because as of March 3 volume was more than double that of last year — 7.78 million trays compared to 3.7 million trays in 2017.  However, some  cold weather put a damper on things as volume was slashed.

But strawberries can rebound pretty fast and now there are adequate supplies expected for Easter (April 1st) and early April from Southern California, although it could be mid- to late April before heavy volume becomes available.

Both Santa Maria and the Watsonville districts suffered significant frost damage earlier this month, while Ventura and Orange Counties faired much better.  Those latter two counties should have decent volume in time for Easter shipments.

However, strawberry growers weren’t as lucky in the northern shipping areas of California.  For example, Red Blossom Sales Inc., of Salinas, which grows berries in Santa Maria, lost up to 30 percent of its product as a result of the March freeze.

Meanwhile Ventura and Orange counties should hit peak shipments in early April, with Santa Maria following by only a few days – probably mid-April.  Peak loadings are expected to extend through the middle of May, including Mother’s Day, May 13^th.

Salinas strawberries are expected to have good volume during the first half of April.

California has 33,791 acres of strawberries this year, down from 36,387 acres in 2017, with all shipping districts showing decreases in acreage.

Planted acreage has declined 13 percent over the past three years, while total volume has increased by 6 percent, resulting in two consecutive years of record fruit shipments.

Assuming the weather cooperates, California weekly strawberry shipments during the summer and fall are projected to equal or surpass 2017 totals.  Last year, California strawberry shipments exceeded 206 million trays.