The USDA Cold Storage Report for the end of the year 2021 shows an overall lower volume of most fruits relative to their ten year average. Strawberry and peach increased in volume from the previous year, but still remain lower than historical averages. Raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and tart cherry all decreased from the previous year and are generally below the average of the last ten years. Demand for each of these items still seems to be strong going into 2022. Imports from outside the U.S. have helped with some of the volume in inventory being where it is today. It is hoped that there will be good crops for each of these in the U.S. this year to help build back inventory levels by the end of 2022.
