U.S.: Naturipe announces peak strawberry volumes from California - FreshFruitPortal.com

U.S.: Naturipe announces peak strawberry volumes from California

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U.S.: Naturipe announces peak strawberry volumes from California

U.S.-based berry company Naturipe Farms has announced that strawberries are in now peak supply in California, with the high volumes expected to last into the fall. 

“Santa Maria is peaking and will have a good supply for Mother’s Day and through the next few weeks into June,” West Coast vice president of sales Vinnie Lopes said.

“Watsonville is ramping up quickly with a bountiful supply available now and expected to thrive through mid-fall.”

Varieties included in Naturipe’s California harvest are: Monterey, Albion, San Andreas, Fronterras, Sweet Anne, Petaluma, in addition to a few proprietary varieties.

Naturipe said it worked diligently with its growers, field agronomists and plant breeders through its Variety Improvement Program to develop and select the best tasting berries for the Naturipe brand.

With organic demand and purchasing on the rise, production has significantly increased over prior years for the company.

“Supplies are plentiful for both organic and conventional strawberries, with weekly promotable volume available from now to early fall,” says Lopes.

According to a 2016 Organic Trade Association survey, total organic sales are up 11% from the previous year.

With this increase of promotable supply coinciding with a large availability of blueberries, Naturipe suggests that retailers plan accordingly by offering a full berry patch, both organic and conventional displays, as well as a variety of pack sizes.

A representative from the California Strawberry Commission told Fresh Fruit Portal in February that the winter rains may hinder overall volumes this year, but explained there would be more positives than negatives for the crop.

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