Why is produce more expensive in winter despite the fact that many of the companies that sell organic produce are located in California or other areas where they can easily grow food year round? For example, strawberries at my local co-op range from $2.99 - $3.99 per pound around spring/summer, but now they are $8.99. Raspberries from $2.99 to $5.99 and so on.

jtprindl Wrote:
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> Why is produce more expensive in winter despite
> the fact that many of the companies that sell
> organic produce are located in California or other
> areas where they can easily grow food year round?
> For example, strawberries at my local co-op range
> from $2.99 - $3.99 per pound around spring/summer,
> but now they are $8.99. Raspberries from $2.99 to
> $5.99 and so on.


Don't quote me on this, but I believe that there are still seasons in these warm weather areas. Maybe strawberries like slightly cooler temps, which is why I see them primarily in late spring? Sometimes they come back in the fall for a bit but certainly not at the same rate.

I have wondered why Mexico doesn't produce watermelon at the same high level year round but I assume that the weather in all parts of the country is not as warm as is needed for melons. Same with grapes.

But I think the OP's question is WHY are they not in season year round, in areas where it's warm all year? And I do believe that they need specific temps that even in CA or Mexico are not consistently available.

The entire "bread basket of America" is frozen over right now. That means less food supply. The less that supply is able to meet demand, the more prices go up. It costs a lot more to import food than it does to grow it at home.

HH Wrote:
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> The entire "bread basket of America" is frozen
> over right now. That means less food supply. The
> less that supply is able to meet demand, the more
> prices go up. It costs a lot more to import food
> than it does to grow it at home.


The OP asked about strawberries. I looked up Salinas, CA and the highs this week are in the 60s and 70s and not going below freezing.

powerlifter Wrote:
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> Could it be something to do with the different
> light cycles in winter ?
>
> Which is probably why certain fruits and
> vegetables have certain seasons, although
> temperature will come into it too for countries
> like the UK.
>


Brilliant. Probably what it is.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/24/2014 12:17AM by Prana.