W6: Weekly Berry Update
Blackberry
Moldova: The Volume of Exports of Berries From Moldova Has Decreased, but Prices Have Become Higher (Feb 6)
The harvest of blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries in Moldova during 2022 decreased by 20%, and the export of fresh berries decreased by 50% compared to the previous year. The volume of supplies to the foreign market amounted to 5.17K tons and 2.78K tons in 2022.
Blueberry
Chile: Fires Out of Control Caused Loss to Fruit Growing (Feb 12)
In Chile, fruit growers experienced a catastrophic scenario due to the damage caused by fires that caused the loss of properties, lack of drinking water, and accessible shelters. The Chilean National Federation of Fruit Producers reported that producers of the regions of Ñuble, Biobío, and Araucanía are experiencing damage to crops, warehouses, solar panels, processing rooms, water tanks, and fumigation equipment. In the Ñuble region, blueberry farms reported damages of over 200 tons of product.
Mexico: Blueberry Production Continues to Grow in El Fuerte (Feb 8)
In Mexico, blueberry production in the city of El Fuerte, Sinaloa began in 2010, and to date, the agricultural lands have accepted the fruit well, with more communities joining the cultivation.
Peru: Peru Certifies 18,103 Hectares of Blueberries (Feb 8)
In 2022, the National Agricultural Health Service of Peru (Senasa) certified 18.103.37 ha of blueberries, an increase of 11.13% compared to 2021. The certified area of blueberries in the last seven years increased from 2,188.23 ha in 2016 to 18,103.37 in 2022, representing an increase of 727.37%.
In the United States, representatives from the Association of Fruit Exports of Chile AG (ASOEX) held an important meeting to strengthen relations and advance better logistics for shipments of fresh fruit from Chile, such as blueberries.
Strawberry
Spain: Strawberry Production Slows Down Due to Cold Weather, Allowing Prices to Recover (Feb 6)
In Huelva, Spain, low temperatures in recent weeks have caused a slowdown in strawberry production, allowing prices to recover, which have been very low throughout January. The Price Observatory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development reported that low temperatures reduced production in plots less close to the coast of Spain.
United States: Strong Demand for Fresh Strawberries in the United States Market in W5 (Feb 8)
In the United States in W5, due to the increased demand for strawberries, there are plans for additional acreage for the next season in the Santa Maria area, located on the Central Coast of California. Constant rains during December 2022 and the first half of January 2023 delayed harvesting by three weeks and started in W4. A few fields with good drainage have benefited from the rains presenting healthier plants and bigger berries. In Southern California, some farmers experienced total losses and fruit rotting in the fields due to heavy rains.
During W5, in Los Angeles, CA, wholesale terminal prices stood at:
Flats/Cartons containing 12 1-pint baskets CA Oxnard District California med-large USD 36-37
Flats/Cartons containing 8 1-lb containers with lids CA Oxnard District California med-large USD 35-36
In the California Oxnard district, offerings were light, and the market was stable.
