Southern California strawberry volume for the first three weeks in January was around 1.2 million trays, which is pretty normal. However, this is is only a small percentage of what the state will ship from spring through fall.
The state’s strawberry production has been building each year, and in 2012 record shipments exceeded 190 million trays.
A primary growth in strawberry volume and shipments is now occurring from Ventura and Santa Mara. The first significant volume this year is expect to take place in the days leading up to Easter (March 31st), with April expected to have big volume.
Potatoes
With a lot of spuds to be shipped this year, a survey shows bagged red potatoes in the USA was up 14 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
In the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota where 94 percent of the potatoes grown for the fresh market are reds, the valley is the largest shipper of red potatoes in the country.
At the same time, bagged russet shipments declined in the fourth quarter seven percent. Russet loadings still far exceed red potato shipments, however.
Greenhouse Veggies
LEAMINGTON, Ontario — Greenhouse shippers in teh Leamington, Ontario area continue to increase their acreage, particularaly along the northern shore of Lake Erie.
Peppers acerage is up at several greenhouses for 2013, with 33 percent of the province’s greenhouse acres planted in peppers, up from 29 percent a year ago. There also should be more mini and specialty peppers from the area, but green, red, yellow and orange bell peppers will continue to provide the most volume. Cumcumbers amount to around 31 percent of greenhouse acres in Ontario in 2013, compared to 29 percent last year.
Southern California produce – grossing about $2800 to Dallas.
Red River Valley potatoes – about $1750 to Chicago.