Berry Category in transition: Blueberries building as strawberries ease
The berry category is in a state of transition, with different berries moving through their respective
seasonal phases.
Overall, blueberries are shaping up to take over as the category’s primary growth driver, with
blackberries providing added support. Strawberries remain plentiful but are edging closer to seasonal decline, while raspberries continue to face challenges with consistency.
Mixed week for Berries: Blueberries rise, other categories ease back.
The berry category softened slightly this week, with total berry revenue down 1.8% and volume down 3.8%. Blueberries continued to lead the category, recording a 28.2% increase in volume and a 17.7% lift in revenue. This reflects a strong build in industry supply as we move toward full-season production, particularly from QLD, NSW, and VIC regions.
Blueberries have dropped off before the Rabbiteye crop starts and Strawberries continue to bounce up for the next few months.
Blueberries have dropped off from the week prior, and we are expected to be moving down towards the lull before the Rabbiteye crop. Strawberries have continued to bounce up and will continue this trajectory for the next few months. However, it’s a very different supply curve to 2023. Raspberries have also bounced up week on week, but our grower group are ahead of the production curve with another +50% increase in weekly production. Blackberries dropped back week on week again to the same volume 3 weeks ago.
Shoppers are increasingly seeking promotions and limiting treats to manage the cost of living
Rising inflation and interest rates in Australia are influencing supermarket shopping habits, with cost-of-living pressures driving consumers to adopt resourceful strategies. This “new normal” includes a focus on value, where 60% of shoppers actively seek promotions, and 42% opt for cheaper cuts of meat. Many are limiting discretionary purchases, with a growing trend towards limiting …
Supply of Standard Blueberries (125g) in NSW has increased, but not as much as we expected with the cooler weather.
Supply of Standard Blueberries (125g) in NSW has increased, but not as much as we expected with the cooler weather. Premium continues to hit new records for demand at current price points. Raspberry volumes fall off a cliff week on week and Blackberry volume moves sideways with the long cane production out of Southeast QLD.
NSW Takes 1st place for the most fruit and vegetables consumed per household but are the only state to decline vs the prior year.
NSW Takes 1st place for the most fruit and vegetables consumed per household but are the only state to decline vs the prior year.
Signs are pointing towards Peru as being set for a big export season.
Signs are pointing towards Peru as being set for a big export season.
Calls for rules to prevent supermarket majors from land banking.
IGA calls for rules to prevent major supermarkets from land banking to prevent competition.
Demand for strawberries flatlines, as raspberries ramp up.
Demand for strawberries has flatlined post-back-to-school, blueberries from New Zealand have been stop-start due to biosecurity clearance timelines, and raspberries are ramping up.
Rabbiteye blueberry season ramps up as strawberry production kicks off.
Rabbiteye Season is ramping up three weeks earlier than 2022. Southern Production of Strawberries is expected to kick this week, and RUBUS moves sideways.
