Final crop estimates for 2007 were reported at the North American Blueberry Council on February 28,2008.

Based on final estimates, a total of 356.8 million pounds of highbush blueberries were produced in 2007.  This is 24.5 million pounds more then produced in 2006.

Lowbush blueberry estimates for 2007 totalled 182.2 million pounds.  This is 21.9 million pounds down from 2006 production.

North American total production in 2007 ( both lowbush and highbush combined) is estimated at 539 million pounds with 173.5 milion pounds sold as fresh blueberries and 365.5 million pounds sold as frozen.  The 2007 total is slightly above 536.4 million pounds produced in 2006.

California fresh strawberry shippers have shipped more strawberries in the past three weeks than at any other three week period in the past five years with the exception of May 14- June 3, 2005. Even with the large volume of fruit being shipped, the fresh market price has increased over the past three days, and some shippers are reporting that they are currently trying to keep up with the demand from their buyers. The typical peak volume for California fresh strawberries is usually closer to Mother's Day. There may still be larger volumes of fruit shipped around Mother's Day this year above what has already been shipped, or the market may cool a little, but it is for certain that there has been heavy demand for fresh strawberries so far this year.

The graphs show current cold storage inventory as reported by USDA for strawberry and red raspberry. The strawberry graph indicates that IQF inventory is still at a five year high. Some processors relate that they are currently packing IQF to fill orders for this year. It appears that the demand is good for IQF strawberries even though the inventory number seems historically high.

California has experienced cold weather over the past few days. Some areas of the state have been damaged severely by cold weather. Yuba City has had temperatures in the 27-29 degree range. Pears grown in Lake and Mendocino counties have experienced serious damage from the cold weather. Peaches in the Modesto area have had some frost damage from the weather of the past two nights. There is some damage in the Modesto area from a frost that occurred on March 31. It has left some orchards with little or no fruit.

The cold weather has impacted the northwest pear, apple, cherry, and peach crops. It is too soon to tell how much damage has occurred, but there will be substantial damage to some acreage there. Estimates from the last frost indicate that the cherry crop was reduced by at least 20%. There could be another reduction of 20% or more after this frost passes. There is another chance for frost tonight in the northwest.

The California Processing Strawberry Advisory Board of California is reporting that California processors have received 17 million pounds of strawberries so far in 2008. This is behind the early start of last year, but in line with the average of previous years.

The strawberry fresh market in California shipped over 6 million trays last week according to the USDA. In 2007 California had only two weeks in which it shipped more than 6 million trays to the fresh market (April 5 and May 24). In 2006 there was only one week with over 6 million trays (May 17). It seems that the peak of the fresh season is here. Prices per pound paid to shippers reflected the increase in volume. USDA is reporting that pricing has increased a little at the beginning of the current week over the low prices paid last week.