SANTA MARIA, CA - Catching up with industry members has to be top of the list for me, especially when I’m also gleaning market insights. One of my go-tos for Brussels sprouts info is none other than Crystal Chavez, Gold Coast Packing’s Marketing Coordinator.
“The current Brussels sprout crop is offering great quality, but it is coming along slowly as there are a bit of yield issues,” Crystal commented, noting that the number of cases per acre are slightly lower than projected. “Weather has not been a factor for our Brussels sprouts crop, as we’ve experienced great weather here on the California Central Coast, which is keeping the market steady and firm.”
Crystal remarked that this steady market has seen pricing similar to what it was a year ago, with steady numbers hovering around $30.
“Gold Coast has great quality coming out of our fields. We expect quality and volume to continue on a high note as we move into the holiday months when the demand for Brussels sprouts always increases,” she added. “We offer Brussels sprouts in whole, halved, and shredded formats for foodservice and whole sprouts for retail. We started offering smaller packs of Brussels per a customer’s request, and these smaller offerings have become popular for meal kits.”
What once was a niche offering has become essential for multiple operators. Be sure to keep both retail and foodservice customers happy by keeping Brussels in stock!
As always, check back in with AndNowUKnow for the latest news in the fresh produce biz.
