Discover the Culprit Behind California’s Mediocre Strawberries This Year
Due to unusual winter weather, California’s well-known strawberry season has taken a toll this year. As a result, “mediocre strawberries” are on the rise this season.
The wild cold season has caused havoc on California’s strawberry fields. It resulted in a compromised and delayed harvest season. The once luscious and juicy picks are now low-quality berries.
The unforgiving winter storms characterized by threatening atmospheric rivers poured overflowing rains that flooded the strawberry fields of Salinas and Watsonville. This flood destroyed a significant part of the growing berries. It resulted in crop losses and delayed harvest.
A Los Angeles Times report said that initial estimates showed that damage to property, crops, and equipment arrived at a total of $200 million. While the California Strawberry Commission confirmed that crop losses were over $100 million.
A farm advisor, Mark Bold, who specializes in cranberries and strawberries, was devastated. He said, “We lost 1,300 acres of strawberries. We are significantly delayed. Even fields that managed to avoid flooding have still experienced a delay of approximately two months.”
Effects on Strawberry Flavor and Size
The unusual cool season and persistent cloudiness further added to the strawberry fields’ challenges. Due to the smaller leaves of the damaged crops, they could not absorb enough sunlight to perform photosynthesis.
Moreover, these plants held the stored energy and excess water in starch reserves. Thus, adversely affecting both the flavor and size of the strawberries.
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Deliveries and farmers markets manager of Harry’s Berries, Kohl Gean, also shared his disappointment. He said, “When I took a bite, it tasted disappointingly like pure tap water – a truly mediocre strawberry experience.”
In relation to the regulations of the US Department of Agriculture, commercial harvesting of flooded areas was restricted for at least two months. They advise picking after the water recedes.
The more delay in resuming harvesting added to the challenges that the farmers are facing. Moreover, labor expenses include a considerable portion estimated at 70% of strawberry production costs.
With reduced harvests and damaged fields, many workers became unemployed during this season. Chepe Cervantes, an undocumented migrant employee with two decades of strawberry harvesting experience, shared his struggle.
He revealed, “In a typical strawberry picking season, I would earn $8,000. However, this year, I have only managed to earn a meager $5,000.”
The financial crisis has made filling in their monthly budgets more challenging for workers like Cervantes.
Adapting to the Unpredictable Market
This mediocre strawberry season has shown several challenges for restaurants and businesses that rely on supplies of high-quality strawberries.
For instance, Harry’s Berries was under a financial struggle which forced them to increase their prices. The wholesale price per box increased to $14, reflecting the damages caused by the higher production cost and heavy rains.
In addition, a desserts and sweets shop in Alhambra, Perfectly Sweet, experienced the effect of these fluctuating strawberry prices as they outsourced their stocks from suppliers.
The shop’s manager, Michael Aqleh, saw a price change from $6.49 per box in March to $7.99 by April. However, as the strawberry supply slowly increased, prices started to drop, giving relief.
Support for Workers and Future Endeavors
Governor Gavin Newsom recently confirmed a relief package worth $95 million. The budget aimed to help a vulnerable group involving undocumented residents affected by floods.
In addition, the funds also aim to reduce the financial struggles of undocumented individuals. They are the ones who are struggling to secure regular employment in this challenging season.
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While the instant impact of the wild weather on California’s strawberry industry has been consequential, workers and farmers are now changing their focus northward.
They want to harvest berries from other northern regions like Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oregon. Despite the challenges that California’s wild winter has caused, the strawberry industry stays resilient.
Overall, this season of “mediocre strawberries” is a reminder of the businesses’ ability to overcome adversity. Workers, growers, and other industries still persevere and hope for a brighter economy ahead.
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