US(CA): Strawberry prices to pick up as supplies lighten

An accelerated strawberry season in California has brought on good volumes of fruit. Current supply levels have made for low prices, but prices are set to improve as volumes drop.

“Prices are low and movement is slow,” said Charlie Staka of CBS Farms. “Our production has been good here in Watsonville, and we are about two or three weeks ahead of schedule.” A mild winter primed this year's plants for good production, and while early-season movement was good, the market eased up during the summer. On September 9, prices for a flat of strawberries from Watsonville and Salinas were between $8.00 and $10.00. Staka believes those prices will improve.

“We're expecting movement to pick up a little here by the end of the week,” said Staka. “Warm weather has played a big factor in production. The warmth makes the plants slow down, and with labor becoming more of an issue as you come into fall, supplies will come down.”

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Charlie Staka