Cristian Crespo, from Agronometrics, illustrates how the US market evolves from week to week, checking how the volumes and average prices of the berry spot market have been behaving and visualizing the factors that are driving the change.

The analyst states that after the high prices of blueberries between weeks 13 and 17 (March-April), prices leveled off to a range similar to that of the 2020 season, and affirms that in week 22 (May), the Average price of conventional fruit was USD 5.07 per kilo, only 1,6% more than last year.

Currently, the main volumes of blueberries in the US market correspond to what comes from local production, both from California, Georgia and North Carolina, and some shipments from Mexico.

Prices of conventional blueberries (USD / kg) in the US market

(Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics)

The volumes that have entered the US market have been higher than those of 2020. In May of this year, these volumes reached the figure of 35,3 million kilograms, which translates into 22% above the same date of the year previous.

Blueberry volumes (kg) in the US market

(Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics)

In the case of raspberries, the report continues, prices have been relatively stable for most of 2021 so far, with a significant rise in recent weeks, exceeding last year's. "Curiously, this despite the fact that Mexico's volumes are also the highest in years," he stresses.

The report states that by week 22 the gap had closed and prices rose 9%. Regarding the origin of the volumes, these come mainly from Mexico, with less supply from California.

Prices of conventional raspberries in the US market

(Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics)

Volumes of raspberry shipments from Mexico in May were 57% higher than those shipped in 2020 on the same date.

Monthly volumes of raspberries from Mexico in the US market

(Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics)

In the case of strawberries, the prices of conventional fruit, since week 12 (March) have been well above the levels reached during 2020. In week 22, the average price was USD 2.96, which it is 40% higher than the values ​​reached in 2020.

Prices of conventional strawberries in the US market

(Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics)

By way of conclusion in his analysis, Cristian Crespo comments that the increase in prices is not related to the decrease in supply volume, as generally happens, but rather, it seems to be associated with an increase in demand, "due to the trend to eat healthy, antioxidant and low-calorie foods ”, that is to say, this reinforces the thesis that maintains that the demand for berries is on the rise and that it is due to new consumer trends.