Los Angeles fires and frigid temperatures impact strawberry movement

The supply of strawberries out of California is good right now. “There is a light harvest in Oxnard and there’s good supply from Baja,” says Steve Johnston of G.W. Palmer & Co. Inc., adding that strawberries are also coming from central Mexico and Florida is also picking up in volume.

While recent events in California such as the Los Angeles fires haven’t seemed to affect strawberry growing, another related condition is. “California has been bone dry. We haven’t had any rain since about November 10th,” says Johnston, adding that January is typically the wettest month of the winter season and for the remainder of the month, no rain is expected. “We haven’t had a drop and the Santa Maria and Oxnard crop is lagging right now. We’ve had cold mornings but nice afternoons. If we have a good rain, for these regions, it would really warm up the ground and get the plants going.”

Slower than usual demand
That said, while the supply of strawberries isn’t a problem right now, the demand for them is. “The country is an icebox except for southern California and southern Florida. It’s influencing business,” says Johnston, adding that those fires have also impacted demand given cold temperatures often keep consumers more at home than out shopping. “There is just a lot of disruption affecting demand.”

While pricing in Florida is stable (where this week’s colder temperatures are slowing down production), they’re softer on product from central Mexico. This week they’re starting between $12-$14 though that price may not be able to hold given the continued cold temperatures.

Looking ahead, demand for strawberries is expected to strengthen again once the frigid temperatures have passed for the plentiful supply ahead. “Then Valentine’s Day, a popular strawberry holiday, is coming up and that generally has good promotions which will help demand,” Johnston says, adding that pricing is expected to be similar to last year.

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