W12: Weekly Berry Update
Blueberry
Chile: Fruit Producers and Exporters Expect Better Returns (Mar 20)
In Chile, producers and exporters had an assessment of the blueberry and cherry season after verifying a volume increase of cherries destined for China. Logistics operations remained normal, unlike in previous years. Blueberries had a reduction in volume due to the varietal replacement process.
China: Price of Fruits in Yunnan Province in China During W11 (Mar 23)
The weather is getting warmer, and spring fruits in Kunming, China are beginning to go on sale in the market. Among them, the selling price of blueberries is the highest which stood at USD 8.72-18.89/kg (RMB 60-130/kg); followed by loquat, at a price ranging from USD 4.36-9.44/kg (RMB 30-65/kg), and the selling price of mulberries stood at USD 2.91/kg (RMB 20/kg) on the market in W11.
Peru: Blueberry Export Processes Pass Taiwan Audit (Mar 20)
The National Agrarian Health Service of Peru (Senasa) announced that the blueberry fruit export program passed the audit made by the Taiwan phytosanitary authorities, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ). From March 6 to 16, they audit blueberry fields and packing houses located in La Libertad and Ancash. Peru has more than 18K hectares of blueberries in production.
Peru: Blueberry Area Grew by 11% In 2022 (Mar 23)
In 2022, Peru had 18.1K hectares of blueberries, an increase of 11.1% compared to the 16.2K hectares registered in 2021, according to the National Agrarian Health Service (SENASA) in Agraria. By the end of 2023, the blueberry areas in Peru would be close to 20K hectares.
Extreme weather continued to affect the produce industry, with growing regions in California and Mexico experiencing flooding and unseasonably cold temperatures. Higher prices are forecasted, and limited selections at the supermarkets. The movement of blueberries through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to increase in the upcoming weeks.
Raspberry
Poland: The Institute of Horticulture of Poland Has Developed a Dessert Raspberry Variety Skierka (Mar 22)
The Institute of Horticulture of Poland has developed a dessert raspberry variety Skierka, which bears fruit on one-year and two-year-old shoots. Breeders recommend growing it both on commercial plantations and in household plots. The Skierka variety is frost resistant.
Serbia: Serbian Raspberry Producers Fear a Collapse in Purchase Prices (Mar 22)
In Serbia, more than three months remain for the raspberry harvest. Producers forecast a sharp price decrease in purchases due to the difficult situation in the market. Therefore, instead of a record of USD 4.45-5.33/kg (RUB 343-411/kg), the cost of raspberries may fall by half.
Strawberry
Egypt: Strawberry Growers Complain About Unfavorable Weather (Mar 23)
Egyptian strawberry growers have expressed concern due to the cold weather, which damages the bushes in their plantations. The strawberry sector in Egypt is experiencing difficulties due to unfavorable weather conditions. Egyptian planters greatly expanded their production, by 20% over the previous season.
Georgia: Demand for Off-Season Strawberries in Georgia Continues to Grow (Mar 24
The Ministry of Finance of Georgia reported that the imports of garden strawberries have increased. In January and February 2023, the country imported 420 tons of fresh strawberries, three times more than in the same period in 2022.
Greece: The European Strawberry Season Is off to a Rough Start (Mar 21)
In the Southern hemisphere, extreme climatic changes are causing difficulties for strawberry growers in Greece, Spain, and Italy. Frosts in mid-January interrupted the ripening period of sensitive fruits such as strawberries. The expected quantity will be available in adequate quality.
Moldova: The Season of Mass Sales of Strawberries Began With Last Year’s Level of Starting Prices (Mar 24)
In Moldova, Greek strawberries appeared in large quantities in the wholesale and retail markets. The wholesale price stood at USD 4.3/kg (RON 80/kg), the same as in late March - early April of 2022.
Thailand: Prices of Korean Strawberries in the Thai Wholesale Market Price W12 (Mar 24)
The price of Korean strawberries in the Talad Thai market, the biggest wholesale agri-food in Southeast Asia, is stable from W11 till W12. The minimum price stood at USD 5.88/250g, and the maximum price stood at USD 11.76/250g.
United States: Strawberry Fields Flooded in California’s Central Coast Communities (Mar 21)
Californian farms and incorporations in the Watsonville and Salinas areas were severely affected by the collapse of a dam. Due to the dam failure on the nearby Pajaro River, more than 8K people were evacuated and hundreds of acres of strawberries were flooded.