Florida strawberry production for Gem Pack Berries will continue strong into spring, said Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing for the Irvine, Calif.-based company.
Florida strawberries are profitable and popular in the market because they give retailers the ability to sell and promote a continuous fresh berry program to consumers all year long.
Strawberries aren’t ready yet this fall so far, but on Nov. 26, 2020, strawberry shipments from Florida had 4,923 packages of eight 1-pound containers with lids — or almost 40,000 pounds, according to the AMS.
Cannabidiol oil applied to strawberries can extend the berry’s shelf life, according to research published in ScienceDirect from University of South Florida scientists.
“When we have cooler years, the berry quality is a lot sweeter and firmer...this year’s quality of fruit is going to be next-level. Hopefully, the market will prevail, and everyone is happy, COVID notwithstanding.”
Florida’s 2019-20 strawberry deal got off to a slow start just before Thanksgiving, but grower-shippers said volume gradually was picking up, and supplies should be plentiful by the first of the year.
The time for automated harvest of strawberries is getting closer, said Gary Wishnatzki, co-founder of Harvest CROO Robotics and president, CEO and owner of Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla.
Improving varieties and the continuing hope of harvest automation in Florida are two of the reasons strawberry marketers see bright hopes for the future.
Florida strawberry growers have enjoyed a strong start to the 2017-18 season, and early signs point to a year of ample volume and promotion opportunities.