The 10 o’clock Walk e-news has been especially helpful this season, according to the company. Whether on the buy side or sell side of the California strawberry deal this year, it has not been a ‘typical’ season to date.
“We have really tried to stay close to our buyers and not overcommit, to be realistic on what is happening in the field and understand their challenges in keeping fruit on the shelves for shoppers,” said Anthony Gallino, vice president of sales for Bobalu Farms. “The weekly bulletin is another way to share insights and timely photos of what the fields look like today.”
Each morning at 10 a.m., the team walks the fields, checks the fruit, tastes the fruit, and assesses test varieties in various plots as they determine viability for future seasons. Having this daily connection to the field provides direct insights to buyers and a higher degree of confidence in what they are selling.
Weather has served as the main driver for a lower yielding season in 2021 and the weekly 10 0’clock walk e-news has helped to keep buyers informed of the ever-changing conditions experienced this year.
Bobalu’s peak season in Oxnard this year is almost a full month behind where it typically falls, and volume is about 20-30% lower than normal. The entire district of Oxnard is currently about 5 million trays behind 2020 volume. Additionally, the company’s Santa Maria fields are following suit with lower early numbers and running about a month behind in timing for a peak, with total district numbers about 3 million trays behind last year.
Cumulative volume statewide is 10 million trays behind the 2020 season to date. However, the weather is shifting and there is still a lot of season ahead with peak Santa Maria season coming for Bobalu who also put plants in the ground there this week in preparation for a fall crop in this region. The e-news will keep the database of subscribers up to date with timing and photos as this comes into play later this summer.
To subscribe or get more information about content and timing, check out the past issues at www.bobaluberries.com/connect
