While blackberries are in good supply right now, those supply levels will increase going into the first part of 2025. "The supply of blackberries seems to be better this year as we are not facing the effects of El Niño within Mexico as we did in 2023/2024," said Ryan Lockman, vice president of sales and procurement at North Bay Produce.
Not contending with an El Niño year also means the season in Central Mexico, where all of the company's blackberry production is currently coming from, started at a more normal time compared to 2023.
For North Bay Produce, the blackberry category has several developments this year, starting with the fact that as of the 2024/2025 season, the company has shifted completely away from the Tupi variety and is working instead solely with proprietary blackberry genetics. This puts the peak of the company's proprietary blackberry production in the spring of 2025. The company also continues to offer its premium line of blackberries which is being packed in the 12x10oz Reserve Label. (These are also available in the 12oz presentation.)
2024 holiday timing
Demand for blackberries is challenging right now given the compressed period this year between the U.S. Thanksgiving and Christmas. "With Christmas and New Year's Eve both landing on Wednesdays for 2024/2025, we are going to see tough sales weeks and overall demand for the weeks of Christmas and New Year's," says Lockman.
That said, there is general optimism in the category around how the consumption of blackberries is developing. "The sky's the limit when it comes to the potential of increased blackberry demand," says Lockman. "As the industry moves away from the old standard Tupi variety, replacing it with new genetics that give the consumer a more enjoyable eating experience, consumption is increasing which in turn will create more sustainable returns for the growers into the future."
All of this is creating more consistent pricing which on average is higher than in years past for the industry. "This is a result of less Tupi acreage and the proprietary varieties being in fewer hands leading to less open spot market sales," says Lockman.
Looking ahead, volume will continue to increase and quality should only get better and better over the next few weeks.
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or more information:
Sharon Robb
North Bay Produce, Inc.
Tel: +1 (231) 946-1941
[email protected]
www.northbayproduce.com