US strawberry prices soar 33 percent as California rain disrupts December supply
This holiday season, US strawberry supplies are tight. The berry volume and value have both dwindled as relentless winter rains swept through California, the country’s biggest supplier, the last week of November.
Industry projections expect the shortage to continue through December, impacting retailers and distributors nationwide.
In Connecticut, retailer Stop & Shop has posted signs warning of limited supply, and the Connecticut Food Association told local news outlet CTInsider that the scarcity may persist indefinitely.
Climate disrupts strawberry harvest
In the west, flooding reached up to six inches in some fields, affecting key growing regions such as Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria, which were already experiencing seasonal decline.
Food association, the Produce Alliance, reported rains made fields inaccessible to pickers, while the extra moisture increased the risk of disease. Strawberries’ soft exterior naturally absorbs moisture, making them particularly vulnerable—any excess water can lead to diseases that cause wilting, plant decline, or rot.
Two weeks after the rain, strawberry quality is finally improving, but inconsistencies in color and size persist as plants recover. Supply shortages also continue.
Strawberry prices take a hit
Predictably, reduced supply and lower quality have affected strawberry prices. Distributors said fewer shipments from California, combined with strong retail demand, have increased wholesale prices across several markets.
Produce industry intelligence firm Agronometrics reported that early December prices were 33 percent higher than in 2024. At retail, consumers are seeing higher strawberry prices per clamshell, fewer promotions, and, in some cases, no strawberry advertisements as stores await supply recovery.
Despite increased imports from Mexico, industry sources indicate prices may remain elevated until fields dry and harvest crews resume normal operations.
Florida strawberry volumes are expected to increase over the next five to seven days, and further recovery may occur as Baja California’s output rises in January, according to the Produce Alliance’s latest Weekly Market review.
For now, most shelves are stocked with early-season imports from Mexico, which continue to grow each week.
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