"This has put the squeeze on customers who require large berries," he pointed out. "Pricing is firm on large blueberries and initially weaker on small blueberries. Expect some weakness on wild blueberries because some wild blueberry users can substitute small cultivated."
Skolnick, whose company packs private label products and supplies industrial further processsors with frozen fruits, reviewed the current state of the berry and peach scene in North and South America as follows:
Northwest Blueberries: Several processors in the Northwest report blueberries are being diverted from the fresh market to the freezer, especially the Duke variety. This is fairly normal for this time of year. Supplies of frozen cultivated blueberries in British Columbia and Washington State are increasing. Oregon blueberry growers report a near perfect balance of supply and demand.
Peru Blueberries: Peru is about to cultivate over 500 hectares of blueberries this year.
Northwest Raspberries: Northwest raspberries were heavily affected by rain at, or, just before harvest. This has put a strain on quality and has made it difficult to pack Grade A IQF raspberries. Chilean raspberry packers saw this coming and have raised prices substantially for anything in inventory. Pricing for new pack raspberries in December from Chile are expected to be very bullish.
Willamette Valley Blackberries: Marion harvesting that began on July 12 finished on Aug. 13, as a one-month season is typical. Evergreen harvest should begin Aug. 20, and the crop looks good at this point.
California Strawberries: Volume is moderating with weekly pack numbers from the Aug. 11 PSAB (Processing Strawberry Advisory Board) at about 10 million pounds. Looking at last weeks numbers compared to 2010 and 2011, volume is slightly ahead.
California Cling Peaches: The cling beach harvest is the smallest since 2006. California's peach harvest is coming to its peak in Yuba and Sutter counties. Growers are reporting a few problems, including small fruit and a lack of available labor.
