BLUEBERRIES - 2010 looks like a pricing rebound for most berries. Most notably, cultivated blueberries have seen an increase in price of about 80%, a heat related crop failure in New Jersey and a strong demand in the fresh market have effected availability. The USDA Cold Storage Report released July 22, shows inventories of blueberries going into new pack are 31% lower than last year. In 2009 most buyers purchased as needed due to the abundant supply and low pricing. This year most buyers are "stepping up to the plate" and committing early, which has created a strong market for Michigan crop over the last few weeks and now a domino effect into the Pacific Northwest. One frozen blueberry processor in Oregon said he has been running only one eight hour shift this year compared to normally running two eight hour shifts prior years. With reduced supply this has created a processor's bidding war for fruit.

BLACKBERRIES - Pacific Northwest blackberries have had a similar fate with price increases of about 30%. No one is offering blackberries until they see what they pack out. When packers say they won't quote, it creates upward pricing pressure.

DARK SWEET CHERRIES - frozen pack out is down by about 70% in both Michigan and Washington state. Pricing is up about 30%.

RASPBERRIES - IQF raspberry production is down in Washington and Oregon due to poor weather conditions creating soft fruit. One major packer said he is putting most of his raspberries into block frozen or juice stock due to poor quality. Raspberries have seen a price increase of about 15% due to the fact that the last crop raspberry pricing from Chile was not as depressed as the other fruit.

• New Price! IQF Northwest Strawberries - Tillamook - 30 lb case - $.82 per lb - FOB N West
• California Strawberry Puree - with seeds - 28 lb pail - $.44 per lb - FOB CALIF
• New Price! Sliced Northwest Tillamook Strawberries - 4 + 1 - 30 lb pail - $.73 per lb - FOB N West
• New Item! IQF Large Whole California Strawberries - Grade A - 30 lb case - $.74 per lb - FOB California

• New Price! IQF Whole Chilean Raspberries * - 4 x 2.5 kg case - $1.60 per lb - Limited Quantities - FOB N East Dock
• New Pack IQF Whole Northwest Red Raspberries - 25 lb case - $1.69 - FOB NW

• IQF NW Rhubarb * 2010 New Pack - 30 lb case - $.64 per lb - FOB NW

• New Price! IQF Sliced Freestone Peaches * 40 lb case - $.74 per lb - FOB Calif