Supplies of strawberries out of California are tight currently. “We generally transition through the fall from Watsonville into Oxnard and we’ve made that change. The majority of fruit is out of Oxnard right now,” says Jim Grabowski of Well Pict. “We’ve pretty much hit the peak from there so we’ll start to see a small decline on that crop through November.” Generally, he says, there’s a small decrease in strawberry volume compared to this time last year.
Yet, demand remains strong for fresh strawberries, as it does year-round. “We don’t have that heavy demand that we normally get through the spring and summer but it’s still strong. Most of the time, demand exceeds supply,” he says
Pricing likely staying consistent
Not surprisingly, that makes for good pricing. “It’s a fairly strong market. It’s not that people can’t afford to buy them but they’re not seeing the summertime prices that they might have been accustomed to. I also think the pricing will stay there,” says Grabowski.
Well Pict will be talking strawberries this week at IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show taking place October 27-29 in Orlando, Florida. “We’re going with our line of products and hope to make contact again with a lot of people we’ve not had personal contact with for the last two years. We’re just looking to solidify the relationships we have and maybe make some new ones as well,” says Grabowski, noting that it will also be sampling fresh strawberries and a strawberry-inspired recipe at its booth #1959.
For more information:
Jim Grabowski
Well Pict Berries
Tel: +1 (708) 227-1222
jgrabo@wellpict.com
www.wellpict.com