<\/strong>Weather remains another factor that could influence production in the months ahead, especially the impact of El Ni\u00f1o. “It’s creating challenges across the different production areas, although the effects vary depending on the region,” Giddings says. “El Ni\u00f1o will continue to present challenges across all regions, and in different ways and at different times.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact is already being felt across the company’s sourcing regions. “We see it hot in Peru, colder in Florida, and wetter in Mexico.” The differing conditions illustrate the complexity of managing berry supply across multiple production areas. Rather than affecting all regions in the same way, weather patterns can create different production pressures depending on where crops are being grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New blackberry and raspberry varieties entering production Rejoice blackberries and Resonance raspberries offer a 52-week supply plan with consistency and flavor. The program is designed to use the same variety across multiple growing regions, reducing the need to switch to different varieties when production moves geographically. “It is a program that allows for the same variety in multiple regions, so we shouldn’t transition into lesser varieties,” Giddings mentioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The development of the varieties is connected to a wider genetics program that’s more data driven. Always Fresh Farms is working to gather information from different production environments as it continues developing its approach to berry genetics. “We are currently structuring our genetics program to continue to provide our customers and consumers with the best flavor and quality. Through our network we are providing research data across multiple growing regions and different environments.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.freshplaza.com\/remote\/https\/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net\/misc\/FP_com\/2026\/09\/03\/AlwaysFresh_Rejoice_Resonance_tweeluik_600.jpg?preset=ContentFullSmall\")
Rejoice blackberries and Resonance raspberries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Within the overall berry category, developments in blackberries and raspberries are areas of particular interest. “We are excited about the Rejoice blackberries and Resonance raspberries as we are starting to see the results of a lot of hard work.” Both varieties are being grown in California and Mexico and play an important role in the broader approach to maintaining consistency across production regions. In addition, blueberries out of Peru continue to push each other into what the expectation of how good a blueberry can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.freshplaza.com\/remote\/https\/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net\/misc\/FP_com\/2026\/09\/03\/AlwaysFresh_Rejoiceblackberry_600.jpg?preset=ContentFullSmall\")
Rejoice blackberries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.freshplaza.com\/remote\/https\/agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net\/misc\/FP_com\/2026\/09\/03\/AlwaysFreshFarms_logo_index.jpg?preset=ContentCustom\"){kind=logo}
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