<p>In the New Year, California Giant Berry Farms will see increased berry volumes and additional acreage. With so many berry types and growing regions, the company's berry season has no beginning or end, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We are very pleased with the 25% increase in organic strawberries expected for the 2014 harvest season due to increased demand, and with additional acreage transitioning to organic beginning with this harvest season” says Anthony Gallino, VP of Sales.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Weather: Of course, farming is not without its challenges in the field. Like most growers in California, the company is also facing drought conditions in the state. Hoping for rain, it is currently using irrigation in its California fields to keep plants healthy.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Blueberries: The company expects a 20% overall increase in total blueberry volume for the 2013-2014 season, due to added acreage in South America, California and the Northwest. California Giant and other Chilean blueberry importers are facing new U.S. entry requirements after the USDA issued a fumigation order due to the detection of a pest previously only associated with grapes.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Blackberries: The fresh blackberry harvest in Mexico is already underway, and excellent size and quality are being reported. Weather has recently slowed volume, but it is expected to return to normal once conditions improve. Overall volume is expected to be slightly higher due to increased acreage and demand.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Strawberries: The season for fresh strawberries is already underway in California, Florida, and Mexico. Fresh berries are currently being harvested in Oxnard, CA. Also in California, more consistent strawberry quality and flavor are expected, because the company shifted away from the poor performing Benicia variety, in favor of better Andreas, Monterey, Portola and newer proprietary varieties.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.calgiant.com/" target="_new"> California Giant Berry Farms </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
