W4: Weekly Berry Update
Blueberry
China: Consumption of Chilean Blueberries Is Boosted in the Main Wholesale Markets in China (Jan 27)
The demand for several types of premium fruit has increased since early January, and Chilean blueberries are doing well in the Chinese market. To promote the fruit in China and to extend support to wholesalers and distribution in wholesale markets, representatives of the Chilean Blueberry Committee-ASOEX visited the Jiangnonghui Fruit Wholesale Market in Guangzhou, the Shanghai Huizhan Fruit Market and the Xinfadi Fruit Wholesale Market in Hebei province, near Beijing. The objective of the meetings was to strengthen relations and analyze the situation of the Chilean blueberry season with wholesalers.
Peru: Major Financial Challenges as a Direct Result of the Strikes in Peru (Jan 23)
In Peru, the harvesting, packaging, transport, port, and airport activity have come to a near standstill after protests in Lima and other provincial cities. A few blueberry growers, exporters, nurseries, and transporters have expressed concern regarding the impact of the riots on their business activity, with interrupted access routes and delays in reaching the port.
United States: Chilean Fruit Is Reaching Retailers Much Faster Than Last Season (Jan 27)
In the United States, the post-pandemic logistics capacity for blueberries is positive. Blueberry marketing chain sources reported that the Chilean supply of blueberries will reach its peak in the next 2-3 weeks. Ports are managing the Chilean offer better than the previous season, compared to 2022. The Chilean fruit is reaching retailers much faster than last season. The fruit has aged less than the previous season, improving its quality and arrival.
Raspberry
Despite the difficult working conditions, the occupation of a part of the Ukraine territory by the Russian arm, labor shortages, and expensive logistics, Ukraine was able to update the export record of frozen raspberries in 2022, reaching 40K tons.
Strawberry
Thailand: High Prices of Korean Strawberries in Thailand for W4 (Jan 26)
Korean Strawberry prices in the Talad Thai Market increased by about 33% due to the exchange rate of the US dollar and the Thai Baht and the limited supply due to unfavorable weather in Korea. In W3 2023, the Korean strawberry price stood around USD 8.94/250g. For W4 2023, the price stood around USD 11.89/250g. Amongst imported strawberries, K-strawberries are the most expensive in the Thai wholesale market. The reference prices for W4 stood as follows:
American strawberry: USD10.67/250g
Australian strawberry: USD 8.38/250g
Local Thai strawberry (Hybrid 80): USD 5.49/kg
United States: Californian Strawberry Fields Suffer Damages Due to Winter Storms During W4 (Jan 27)
During W4, various strawberry fields on the Central Coast of California presented a total loss due to recent winter storms. A few fields remain flooded, and not all damages have been accounted for. Strawberry prices are higher than usual the price at Los Angeles, CA wholesale terminal in W4 stood as follows for flats or cartons containing eight 1lb containers with lids from Mexico:
High-quality med-large strawberries: USD 58.00-59.00 per 8lb flat/carton
Fair quality strawberries: USD 29.00-30.00 per 8lb flat/carton
