10/20/2025
⚠️ MARKET ALERT: BERRIES⚠️
The berry market is in flux this week with varying levels of availability for strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Here's what you need to know:
🍓 Strawberries:
🚨 EXTREME ALERT🚨
Recent rain and cool temperatures in Watsonville, Salinas, and Santa Maria have disrupted harvests, leading to delayed ripening and elevated cull rates, exceeding 50% in some areas. With warmer weather approaching, quality concerns such as decay and misshapen fruit are expected to intensify. Supplies will remain unstable as some growers consider ending the season early.
In Mexico, production has begun but remains low due to earlier rain and cool weather. Quality challenges persist, with common issues including overripe, soft, and green fruit, though efforts are underway to improve packout.
🌸 Raspberries:
Watsonville’s season is winding down, with weekly volume down 10–20% from peak. Rain and cooler temps are causing softness and pest pressure, especially from spotted wing drosophila. Crews continue to focus on maintaining pack quality, though the season may conclude earlier than anticipated. In Mexico, conventional production is on the rise, with quality steadily improving at the cooler.
🫐 Blueberries:
Blues have been demand exceed supply as of late. Supplies have been very tight in MX but are starting to ramp up. This along with delayed shipments from Peru have created a short supply and heightened markets with possible prorates. Moving into November, early signs suggest volumes may exceed projections if favorable conditions persist. In Peru, imports are aligning with forecasts, with more containers arriving this week to support customer demand.
Stay informed when it comes to the fresh produce industry. NPC Powered by Foodbuy sends our Market Outlook reports every week in English and Spanish.
Read more ➡️ https://www.nproduce.com/services/market-reports/