California strawberry harvest delayed following weekend’s rains by G.W. Palmer & Co., Inc. and FreshPlaza

California strawberry harvest delayed following weekend’s rains

Growers and shippers in California are on strawberry quality watch following this past weekend’s rains. “Oxnard had over an inch between October 31-November 1 while Santa Maria had over ⅓ of an inch. Salinas-Watsonville got less than 1/10th of an inch because the storm came up from the South,” says Steve Johnston of G.W. Palmer & Co. Inc.

Along with concerns over fruit quality, harvest will also be temporarily paused until the fields dry out.

This adds to an already tight supply situation on strawberries and that tightness is expected to stretch until central Mexico begins shipping with volume at the end of the month. “Some will be lightly picking there this week and next week but the real deal starts after Thanksgiving. So it will be almost a month of high prices with light supply,” says Johnston, adding that the market currently is between $26-$30 and is expected to stay in that range throughout November.

Warmth continues for California strawberries
This also comes on top of an already challenging growing season in California for strawberries that generally has been warmer than usual. “The water temperature in the Pacific Ocean is extremely warm. The Monterey Bay area has water temperatures of 65°F which is way above normal. As you head further south, it’s in the upper 70s°F,” adds Johnston.

Growers in Salinas-Watsonville had a tough year particularly. An early start following unusual warmth in March meant an early end to the season and the warmth also brought insect pressure.

In all, it’s anticipated to be a wetter season than normal for strawberries in key growing regions–California, Baja, central Mexico and Florida. “It could be a very eventful strawberry season over the winter,” he says.

For the near future, that light supply will continue to keep the market as strong as it can bear. “It will be whatever people will pay before they say–I guess we just don’t need strawberries. It’s going to be a very interesting month,” adds Johnston.

For more information:
Steve Johnston
G.W. Palmer & Co., Inc.
Tel: +1 (831) 753-6578
sjohnston@gwpalmer.net
http://www.gwpalmer.net/