WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms is currently harvesting domestic supplies of organic blueberries from Oxnard and California’s San Joaquin Valley. Conventional blueberry harvests will begin in the San Joaquin Valley nearing the end of April. I sat down with Nick Chappell, Director of Sales, and Kyla Oberman, Director of Marketing, to get the inside scoop.
“The current California blueberry supply is looking great and off to a strong start. Our CA blueberry production is early-to-normal compared to the previous two years in which harvests were historically late,” Nick told me. “Conventional volumes out of the San Joaquin Valley will reach peak volumes in late May through early-to-mid June. While organic volumes from Oxnard are beginning a decline from peak volumes, organic San Joaquin Valley blueberries are just starting to ramp up with fruit peaking from late-April to mid-May.”
According to Nick, California Giant’s blueberry volumes, inclusive of all growing regions, are expected to be up approximately 15 percent from last year.
“While our California blueberry program is producing wonderfully, we’re also harvesting from Mexico and ramping up in volumes from North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia; these regions are anticipated to produce strong volumes nearing the end of month and throughout May,” Nick continued. “These regions will produce until late May/mid-June, at which point our Pacific Northwest season begins. We’re looking forward to a strong season of quality blueberries!”
With such a strong supply coming down the pike, Kyla offered some words of wisdom for retailers looking to make their blueberry displays shine.
“At the store level, retailers can boost California blueberry sales through strategic promotion and merchandising,” she explained. “Highlight their premium quality, vibrant color, and sweet flavor with eye-catching displays; cross-merchandise with complementary products; and feature them as part of the full berry patch—both in-store as well as online. Retailer social media promotions can provide a boost to a wider audience and emphasize the health benefits and locality of the California blueberries, driving increased demand.”
Add these gorgeous globes to your produce department and watch as the foot traffic follows!
