Heat Alert- Berries

Thurs, Sept 10th, 2026

Dear Ole Tyme Customers:

The ongoing heat wave across California is creating significant challenges for berry production and availability. Extreme temperatures throughout the Watsonville, Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard growing regions are impacting strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry harvests, with yesterday marking one of the hottest days of the year in several key production areas.

To protect harvest crews, many growers are reducing field hours, resulting in lower daily production and tighter supplies. As a result, customers should anticipate limited availability, potential order delays, fill rates, and reduced flexibility in sourcing replacement volume from alternative growing regions.
The sustained heat is accelerating fruit maturity, leading to smaller berry size, lower yields, and increasing quality concerns. Reports of soft fruit, bruising, over ripeness, and shortened shelf life will become more common and are expected to persist while elevated temperatures continue.
Although cooler weather is forecast over the coming days, the impact on production and fruit quality is expected to extend beyond the immediate weather event. Supply disruptions, fill rates, quality inconsistencies, and potential substitutions may continue for the next 7 to 14 days as growers assess field conditions and recovery.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Sales Representative.

Thanks,

Ole Tyme Produce