Strawberry Yields Forever? Well, Almost

Strawberry production across Southern California is three times greater this season than it was a year ago, with a mild winter providing a lightning quick start to this year’s harvest.

The heavy yields will mean an abundance of berries on supermarket shelves over the next month, a bonanza expected to drive down prices but still produce a windfall for berry farmers.

California Farm Bureau spokesman Bob Krauter said prices could drop as low as $1 a pound, half of what strawberries cost this time last year.

“This has been one of the best starts in years for the strawberry industry,” Krauter said. “I think the fact that the season is off to such a strong start is good for both farmers and consumers.”

Growers from Oxnard to Orange County report they are weeks ahead of harvesting schedules, with strawberry fields in those areas benefiting from Southern California’s mild winter--little rain, generally warm overnight temperatures and few threats of freezing.

Statewide, growers have produced 2.6 million crates of strawberries so far this season, the bulk of those--1.8 million--coming from Ventura County’s Oxnard Plain. The Orange County and San Diego districts have produced 764,000 crates this season.

Last year at this same time, strawberry growers statewide had produced 778,000 crates.

“The growing conditions are just ideal right now, especially in the southern end of the state,” said Dominique Jordan, spokeswoman for the California Strawberry Commission. “Heading into 2000, with the ultimate growing conditions you can look for record volume this year.”

Locally, crop yields were held back last year by some rain and a brutal cold snap that gripped the region and slowed production.

So although they are pleased with this year’s crop, farmers know that berries are fickle and that any stretch of bad weather can quickly spoil their fortunes.

“This plant is coming on full tilt,” said strawberry farmer Cecil Martinez. Production is about six weeks ahead of schedule at his 88-acre Ventura County ranch.

“But somewhere along the line, somebody in control higher than me always throws a monkey wrench into things,” he said. “In this business, you learn to take it when you can get it.”

In Ventura County, the larger yields also are a result of a record number of plantings.

With 7,600 acres in production this season, the county is the second-largest strawberry growing region in California, trailing only the Watsonville-Salinas area.

The acreage represents a 13% increase over last year and a 70% jump since 1994, when 4,449 acres were dedicated to strawberry production. Statewide, acreage increased 7.1% over last year, with 26,340 acres in production this season.

“The demand is very high for strawberries, and growers are responding with increased acreage and varieties that have more yield,” Jordan said.

It’s impossible to tell whether the higher-than-normal yields in Southern California will be mirrored in Northern California, where the season starts three months later.

Oxnard strawberry grower David Murray said it’s also impossible to tell whether this area will continue to be blessed by such good growing weather.

The Oxnard Plain still faces the threat of frost. And the skies have been known to open up in February and March, bringing torrents of rain and bad news for growers.

“The yield is there, the pickers are happy because they’re looking at a real good season from the standpoint of making money,” said Murray. “But it can change in an instant. We have to be careful not to get too optimistic.”