It was another big week for berries, with total category revenue up 12.4% and volume jumping 16.8%. Blueberries stole the show once again, with supply ramping up across QLD, NSW, and VIC, resulting in a 63.2% surge in volume and 34.1% lift in revenue. We’re heading full steam toward peak season now, but with more fruit moving through, quality checks are still top of mind – especially considering recent and ongoing wet weather. 

Strawberries also had a solid week, with volume up 18.5% and revenue climbing 17.6%, thanks to steady winter production and strong fruit quality on shelves. Blackberries bounced back too, lifting 27.1% in volume and 11.6% in revenue, signalling better availability this week. 

Meanwhile, raspberries hit pause, with volumes dropping 24.7% and revenue down 18.2%. This is typical for this time of year as we head into the seasonal slow-down and cooler temps tighten supply. 

 Blueberries 

Coffs Coast – It’s shaping up to be another stop-start week in the Coffs Coast region, with a mix of cloud, showers, and sunshine on the cards. Rain is expected early to mid-week, which will likely slow picking and tighten volumes, followed by clearer, drier conditions from Thursday that should help get things moving again. 

With this wet weather, we’re keeping a close watch on quality. Growers are reminded to check for splits, tears, and mould as fruit comes through the shed, as these defects are more common after rain events and retailers will be monitoring very closely. 

Far North Queensland – The region is in full swing this week, with growers powering through their peak season and strong volumes rolling in. The weather’s playing its part too, with warm, sticky days, a few passing showers, and plenty of cloud cover to keep things interesting. It’s classic mid-season picking weather: a bit unpredictable, but the fruit keeps coming. 

 Strawberries 

Strawberries continue to be a bit of a mixed bag this season, with the category heavily influenced by on-and-off weather conditions. Clearer days are helping growers harvest decent volumes when possible, but patchy rain is creating an inconsistent flow of supply, with some weeks ramping up and others stalling. The good news is, quality across markets remains strong, and winter strawberries are holding up well at retail. We’re likely to see this start-stop pattern continue as growers navigate the rest of the season. 

Raspberries 

Raspberry volumes took a step back this week, likely due to cooler weather and a bit of rain slowing production. That said, quality remains strong across both retail and wholesale markets, with good firmness, colour, and shelf life continuing to hold up well.